I think much of the argument on this issue arises from those vehemently defending McMahon believing those critical of him are unhappy he's not making deep NCAA Tournament runs each season. That's not the case because the expectations aren't that high. But there have been multiple HC's over the last few years that have taken over significantly depleted rosters, built almost completely new rosters through the transfer portal, and won immediately. Not necessarily Final Four level success. But certainly not bottom of the conference among the worst major-conf. programs in America failure.

McMahon had great success in his final season at Murray St. Anyone and everyone who followed college basketball felt the roster he put together in year one would be competitive. Thus, because of his success at Murray he was given the benefit of the doubt it would translate at LSU. It didn't...at all. So he quickly lost all of that benefit of the doubt. If McMahon would have had a season like this year last year you'd see a lot of optimism around him still. But there is very little going into year 3 because there is very little to base it on.

quote:
But yea, who needs good juniors & seniors on their team to build around anyway

You can't "teach" experience. But this team is trending to be maybe the "youngest" team McMahon has had at LSU (currently 5 1st or 2nd year players). Compare that to last season where 9 of 13 players were Juniors, Seniors, or Grad Students.

I can't imagine it is easy for a coach to build a significantly new roster, get it to gel, win, then do it again the next season. But that is college basketball now and coaches are finding ways to completely remake a roster and win immediately. It will be year 3 for McMahon. If he can't do it this year, when will he be able to do so? And no, no one is demanding a deep NCAA Tournament run. But he has to have LSU in significant consideration for a tournament bid this year, right?

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Posted by Mats86

Member since Mar 2021

3729 posts

Posted on 4/11/24 at 11:15 am to Alt26

quote:
But he has to have LSU in significant consideration for a tournament bid this year, right?

I’m not sure how you can’t have that expectation. I think given the team he looks to have, he needs to be very smart with his scheduling.

eventually you have to arrive at either he can get good enough players but can’t get good results, or he can’t get good enough players.

Sure there is some leniency. At the very least you need to see the team playing like an NCAA tournament team at the end of the season with high level play from his recruits from the last couple of years to justify that his process is working.

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Posted by mmcgrath

Indianapolis

Member since Feb 2010

35497 posts

Posted on 4/11/24 at 2:13 pm to Alt26

quote:
If McMahon would have had a season like this year last year you'd see a lot of optimism around him still.

Anyone who thought that ANY coach could take what McMahon was handed and jump to .500 in the SEC in Year 0 was a total idiot or just wearing the brightest Purple and Gold glasses you could find.

quote:
You can't "teach" experience. But this team is trending to be maybe the "youngest" team McMahon has had at LSU (currently 5 1st or 2nd year players). Compare that to last season where 9 of 13 players were Juniors, Seniors, or Grad Students.

Year 0: 4 True Frosh, 1 True Soph, 1 RS Soph
Year 1: 2 True Frosh, 2 True Soph
Year 2: 3 True Frosh, 1 True Soph, 1 RS Frosh

More like in between Year 0 and Year 1. Taking 3 freshmen every year seems pretty normal for a program that wants to develop within.

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