'13 Shavon Coleman vs. '12 Justin Hamilton

LSU in '11-'12 was very different than LSU in '12-'13. LSU has changed coaches, lost 6'11" Justin Hamilton to the NBA draft, among others, and have added some new faces. This article will be comparing the differences and (mostly) similarities between '12 Justin Hamilton and '13 Shavon Coleman. With a 6" difference in size, it would seem that neither would have very much in common, but amazingly, their stats have been nearly identical.

Both came to LSU as transfers. Hamilton from Iowa State and Coleman from Howard College. Each of the years being compared are their junior seasons. Hamilton was by far the most important player for the '12 Tigers. He led the Tigers in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal %. Coleman has been one of the '13 Tigers biggest surprises. He leads the team in minutes, points, and total rebounds. He shoots at a better percentage than Hamilton did in both field goals and three pointers. He scores more points per game and had almost an entire rebound per game more than the 6'11", 2nd round draft pick.

But with the size difference, LSU must miss the defense down low, right? Well, Coleman averages a steal per game more and holds the minimal lead on blocks per game blocking 1.5 per game to Hamilton's 1.3 per game. Coleman has been the lead defender when LSU goes into their full court press and has done a formidable job on opponents who normally tower over him.



Looking at the advanced statistics brought to you by Ken Pomeroy, the two have nearly identical statistics in almost every caregory. Their Offensive Rating is within 0.2 points of each other with Coleman holding the minimal lead. And while someone holds the lead in each different category, neither follows far behind.

The statistics are so similar, but each bring a different tone to the team. Under Coach Johnson during the '12 season, Justin Hamilton was the rock. He was the calming go-to guy who would get things going when nothing was going right. Coleman brings the exact opposite affect to the game. Coach Jones lets him hustle and bring excitement. When everything seems to be going right, Coleman is usually the one scoring on fast breaks, getting a hand on a pass, or getting the easy putback off an offensive rebound.

Each mirrored what their coach wanted; what their coach needed. To say LSU is a better team with Coleman would certainly not hold merit. Their differences in style are astronomically distinct, but their similarities in productivity are shockingly comparable. While in a perfect world, LSU would have both, Coach Jones has to be happy with what he has in transfer Shavon Coleman.