re: Without a monumental turn-around in conference play - Will Johnny Jones

The question you have to ask at the end of the year is "are things are going to get any better?" If the answer is no, then you have to make a move.

Outside of year one, Jones hasn't done anything special. He underachieved in year 2 when he could only finish .500 with a frontline of NBA talent in a bad SEC. He got to the dance last year, but still failed to win that elusive first NCAAT game in 15 years as a HC. This year was supposed to be "the year" and it's been an abject disaster thus far. He's posted his worst non-conf record in his time at LSU against what kenpom ranks as the 314th best schedule

Other SEC schools have recently gone out and tried to improve their programs by hiring coaches with proven past success (Avery Johnson, Rick Barnes, Ben Howland, Bruce Pearl). Past results indicate that those guys won't have their programs down for very long. LSU needs to get the ship heading in the right direction now (with whomever at HC) or they could get left behind and have to start from scratch once more.

Sadly, I don't think LSU will make a move at the end of the season because they will have to deal with Les Miles being on a one year "trial run" going into next season. The same powers that be who wanted Miles gone at the end of this season will want him gone at the end of next season

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That isn't the point

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My point was Clarence is a fricktard, and thinks he's bigger than he is. I wasn't disagreeing with you.

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Three losses there (LSU will be an underdog in each game) and the Tigers will then be 7-8. If it gets to that point, LSU will qualify as one of the all-time failures in recent college basketball memory. You just don't see teams with this much talent, including a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick, fail to even be in the NCAA Tournament mix by the start of league play. It's not just the Simmons factor. And it's not just and Hornsby and Victor. The Tigers also have a possible future NBA pick in Tim Quarterman. Let's also not forget that Tigers starting point guard Antonio Blakeney played in the McDonald's All-American game earlier this year.

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Truth. JJ doesn't even know what it takes to win. He has no answer for anything. As long as he's the coach LSU won't be able to rebound or make free throws. They've been the same frustrating team to watch since he's been here. It won't change

It makes me sad...

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Without a monumental turn-around in conference play - Will Johnny Jones by thunderbird1100Survive this season?

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T-bird, I think to answer this question one has to consider a couple of things:

How much does our administration care about basketball and if there are any in positions of authority who make those decisions who really do, will they be willing to challenge the faction that worked tirelessly for years to hire CJJ?

I honestly don't think the want is there within the framework of the athletic department to undertake that power struggle, particularly after the embarrassment that just took place with our football program...even if we miss the tournament.

And missing the tournament this year is a major and legitimate disappointment. But I don't think it will result in CJJ's dismissal after the year.

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Of course. In my view, they got Collis to sign off on Trent and then he went on to pretty much take credit for Trent's hire in the press immediately thereafter.

Then I think when Trent got tired of Collis's intrusiveness he told him to back off and a pretty public rift arose. I think Collis probably didn't want that to happen again and the admins seem for whatever reason to either IMHO over-value Collis's input or more likely IMHO fear him for whatever reason, I think they let him, Dale, Shaq, Rudy et al wear them down and finally gave in on CJJ.

And any thought of replacing CJJ would have to run through that same gauntlet. I don't think anyone in the current power structure has the stomach for that.

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If this is true, we have an absolute failure of leadership in the AD. To allow former players and a coach that much influence over an AD hire is beyond reprehensible. Who does this CT Mafia think they are? They shouldn't be allowed to run jack shite. You want to support the program? Great. You want to make decisions about the program? Tough shite.

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I don't see how Jones survives. Expectations were high, and this "dream season" is already dying.

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I think if you look at this through the prism of football or baseball that might be the case.

I think LSU basketball is a different animal. I would be shocked if CJJ were not back next year even if the season ends up as disappointing as it seems it is destined to be at this point.

We are starting 0-2 at the least. We will be lucky to finish .500 in SEC play. If it is not turned around Johnny and Nikki need to be a package fire sale.

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I don't see how Jones survives. Expectations were high, and this "dream season" is already dying.

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I haven't been the biggest Jones fan as far as being a game day coach goes (he's likable and is obviously a very good recruiter), but even I'm surprised how bad we are. We haven't really been bad since he has been here. Lackluster at times, sure, but we are getting beat by teams with far less talent.

He should just try to press 40 minutes a game like Arkansas used to do and just hope for the best with this talent because when it comes to Xs and Os and motivating the team from the bench, it's just not happening. He's gonna see his dream job slip away.