ESPN LSU Basketball Preview Article

So we're just a notch below UK and the Tar Heels

Should our Rice preseason scrimmage beatdown be looked at with any optimism?

Honestly, we are just a year behind schedule unfortunately. We will break even in SEC play this year and setup a great run for 12-13. ALL ABOARD!!!!!

it feels good to have some size again in the frontcourt.

I'd really love to see LSU do well again. Some of my first memories as an LSU fan were in the PMac.

I'm actually decently excited for this season. we'll be a lot better than the last 2 years

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though realistic NCAA Tournament hopes might still be another year or two away.

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Two more years outside the tourney would be totally unacceptable. So, a slow climb to what? 4th in the West?

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I feel like that opening Nicholls State game will carry just as much hype as LSU-Bama this weekend since the Tigers will have revenge on their minds.

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Good thing I got my tickets before the hype machine gets rolling

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BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: B
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: B
INTANGIBLES: C

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Two more years outside the tourney would be totally unacceptable. So, a slow climb to what? 4th in the West?

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There are no more divisions in SEC Basketball. After the terrible performance of the SEC West last year, the conference voted to do away with divisions. I'm not sure if this helps or hurts us, but I would like to see us finish 7th or better.

ETA: However, the good news is that the SEC will keep the "division style" schedule in place for this year, which means we will play the weaker teams from the West twice and only have to play Florida and Kentucky once. This may help us climb a little bit in the conference rankings.