Freshman at LSU basketball advice

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The Tigers will tip off practice for the 2013-14 season Tuesday afternoon, welcoming in a host of newcomers to join several experienced starters. Coach Johnny Jones previewed his LSU team, gave an update on Brian Bridgewater and even looked ahead to recruiting in 2014.

Football season in Tigah Country may have just inched past the quarter pole, but there’s already a buzz in the air when it comes to LSU basketball.

Johnny Jones, coming off a better-than-expected 19-12 record (9-9 in SEC play) in his debut season as head coach, leads the hardwood Tigers back onto the floor Tuesday afternoon for the team’s first practice leading up to the 2013-14 campaign.

A recent change in NCAA rules allows men’s basketball teams to take to the practice court a few weeks earlier than usual, although the sessions between now and season’s tipoff may be more sporadic. The Tigers can practice a total of 30 times in the upcoming 42 days.

“We’re really excited about the start of practice and feel like our guys have done a tremendous job during this offseason in preparation for a very tough schedule,” Jones told reporters Monday. “I think that our guys that are returning from last year’s team have a great deal of experience.

“We’re also excited about the recruiting class in the freshmen that are coming in along with John Odo, who actually sat out last year. With the addition of those new guys, if we can get our chemistry right, I think there are some great things in store for this basketball team.”

Much of the anticipation building around the program is due to the star-studded signing class set to take the floor. When asked what stands out the most with his freshmen, LSU’s coach raved about their versatility and leaping ability.

“We have guys that have a great deal of range,” explained Jones. “When you talk about Jordan Mickey, he’s got a 7-foot, 3.5-inch wing span. He’s an incredible athlete at about 6-foot-8, 6-foot-8.5. Jarell Martin, the same way. Then Tim Quarterman, he’s a guy at about 6-foot-6, but he’s still growing. He’s got a great deal of range in terms of his length and he’s a quick leaper as well … We’ll be a lot more around the rim this year, and I think it will be fun to watch.”

But Jones did caution that these freshmen aren’t immune to the things that usually trip up first-year players from time to time.

“I’m glad that people are excited, but I think they will go through the same process as a lot of the other guys did,” Jones continued. “It’s going to take them some time to adjust to this level of play in Division-I basketball night in and night out because the game is going to be bigger, stronger, faster at this level. There will be an adjustment process.”

On the subject of his freshmen, Jones also gave an update on the status of signee Brian Bridgewater, the local Scotlandville High School product who hasn’t been able to get final clearance from the NCAA yet.

“Brian is enrolled in school, and he’s still in the middle of an appeals process,” said Jones. “We’re still waiting for that, and he won’t be able to take the floor with us in terms of practicing until they have an actual ruling on his appeal.”

Jones conceded this is a matter that “absolutely” could extend past the fall semester. “We just want to make sure that we do our due diligence and help him through the appeals process, whichever way they decide to rule. And if it’s too late then we’ll have to make a decision on what’s best for Brian, whether he should play or redshirt or whatever. We want to make sure that they have a proper ruling before we make a final decision.”

What that does mean in the short term – and in all likelihood for the beginning of the season – is that LSU will be down to 11 scholarship players who are eligible to play, considering transfer Keith Hornsby must sit out the year.

“Looking at our team and 13 scholarship guys, there are only 11 of those guys that will be able to really play right now, unless Bridgewater’s situation changes. I like our number,” Jones said confidently. “I think 10 or 11 guys could have an opportunity to possibly get into the rotation, depending on how we’re able to play, which would be excellent for us. Now when you talk about extended minutes it could be totally different, but I think with the way this team is put together and how capable these guys are, any given night any one of them can give you some really positive minutes.”

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“I think 10 or 11 guys could have an opportunity to possibly get into the rotation, depending on how we’re able to play, which would be excellent for us. Now when you talk about extended minutes it could be totally different, but I think with the way this team is put together and how capable these guys are, any given night any one of them can give you some really positive minutes.”

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The number of kids in the student section last year was abysmal, at best.

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