re: How can Johnny possibly live up to the hype?

Also, don't take my OP the wrong way. I'm not saying I expect it, or believe the season is a failure without it. I was just thinking that there is already a vibe around CJJ that he is a lights out recruiter, but a poor in-game coach (sound familiar?).

Also, Simmons is the first consensus No. 1 high school BB player since Lebron. I've always wondered what Lebron would have done at Ohio State for one season before taking his talents to the next level.

I agree that there's no comparing the 2 teams' talents.

So, let's get back to the initial arguement. Is it not ok to expect championships if your team goes after and gets the best talent? And, I'm specifically talking basketball here. 1 or 2 great players with good support can surely win a natty in the NCAAs.

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Simmons is the first consensus No. 1 high school BB player since Lebron

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LINK

I expect us to make a run at a final four, but if we lose in the sweet 16 I won't want Jones fired.

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making the Final 4 a pipe dream. One amazing player doesn't = championship expectations.

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Melo says what's up.

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It would be a disappointment if we didn't win an NCAA Tournament game. It would be a success to make the sweet 16 or better. A final 4 would be a dream season.

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Perfectly sums up my feelings.

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Also, Simmons is the first consensus No. 1 high school BB player since Lebron.

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Depends on your definition of censensus. LINK

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Melo says what's up.

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Congrats, you found the exception to the rule.

Doesn't refute anything he said. It happening doesn't mean that it's the expectation of the team.

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Can Johnny survive Ben Simmons without a national championship?

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Absolutely. Last year's UK team may have been the most dominant team in at least 20 years, if not more, and they still didn't win the title. To say that it's NC or bust is silly

However, if Jones with the likely 1st pick in the NBA draft, two other top 30 freshman, a backcourt loaded with proven experienced players, struggles to break .500 in the SEC next season, then talk of a coaching change wouldn't be unreasonable. Why:

1. He may never have a more talented team at LSU
2. There doesn't appear to be a dominant team (ala '15 UK or '14 UF) in the SEC next year
3. The conference as a whole may not be as strong as last season. The tournament teams (UK, Ark, OM, UGA) should all be a bit down from last year (though I recognize that AU, MSU and Vandy will likely be much better)

If LSU isn't one of the 3-4 best teams in the league next year, then there may be a problem. They'll be picked to finish 3rd (maybe 2nd) in the preseason projections

Fair or not, sweating out selection Sunday and going 1 and done in the NCAAT would be a very disappointing season.

Are you serious? With the coach we have making the sweet 16 would be a huge accomplishment for this team. We'll not sniff the final four anytime soon with Johnny as coach. He's just not that good, period. He can recruit and is a mediocre gameday coach. Look at how bad the team underachieved with the talent they had last year.

Nobody should have final four expectations or you'll surely be disappointed with something so unrealistic. It's also ridiculous to anoint Simmons to god status already just because he was the #1 recruit. It could take him a year or two to grow into his role. He'll contribute but he might not end up as dominant as some of you might think this year and nothing is wrong with that. Some guys take longer to mature but I'm sure he'll be feeling the pressure.