Hoops Preview: Old Spice Classic (11/28-12/1)

LSU enters the Old Spice Classic on a 3 game winnings streak. After a 92-90 loss at now 6-0 UMASS, LSU has looked good in their last 3 games winning by an average margin of 21.3 points per game. In their most recent game, LSU returned freshman star Jarell Martin after he sustained an injury just seconds into the first game.

Martin's absence was less noticeable with the emergence in 6'9" freshman Jordan Mickey. Mickey has emerged as LSU's shot blocking, rebound taking, dunk producing phenom who seems to always have an exciting play to motivate the team. Alongside the freshman, Johnny O'Bryant has continued where he left off last season with double doubles in 3 of the 4 games averaging 17.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per contest. However, LSU's leading scorer is senior guard Andre Stringer, averaging 18.3 points per game.

Now, LSU gets to play 3 games in four days against some stout competition. The Old Spice Classic has one of the best groups of teams of the early season tournaments.




For the tournament LSU's projected starting lineup looks like this:







Old Spice Classic Rankings (KenPom.com):

Oklahoma St (5-0): 1
Memphis (2-1): 20
LSU (3-1): 51
St. Joseph's (2-1): 64
Butler (4-0): 66
Purdue (5-0): 71
Washington St (2-2): 157
Siena (2-4): 253


Some Opponent Notes:

St. Joesph's (1st rd opponent)

*Has beat Vermont and Marist. Lost to Creighton by 4.

*Average 19 seconds per offensive possession 310th in NCAA.

*Shoot 42.9% from three pt range.

*Sr Guard Langston Galloway is from Baton Rouge. Leads team with 18.3PPG.

*Projected Starters:
#24 Chris Wilson (6'3" 210 Jr)
#10 Langston Galloway (6'2" 202 Sr)
#43 DeAndre Bembry (6'6" 200 Fr)
#13 Ronald Roberts (6'8" 225 Sr)
#45 Halil Kanacevic (6'8" 255 Sr)




Memphis (Likely 2nd rd opponent)

*Lost to Oklahoma St by 21, but beat Austin Peay and Nicholls St.

*Average 12.6 seconds per offensive possession, 2nd fastest in nation.

*Average 12 steals per game.

*Play 10 players over 10 minutes per game.

*Projected Starters:
#55 Geron Johnson (6'3" 197 Sr)
#11 Michael Dixon (6'1" 200 Sr)
#1 Joe Jackson (6'1" 174 Sr)
#4 Austin Nichols (6'8" 212 Fr)
#2 Shaq Goodwin (6'9" 242 So)





The Rest of the Field:

*Oklahoma St has been dominant and have scored over 90 points in all 5 of their games.

*Oklahoma St PG Marcus Smart will be a top 5 pick in next years NBA Draft.

*Butler shoots free throws under 60% as a team.

*Butler starts 2 Sr's, 2 Jr's and 1 So.

*Purdue's AJ Hammons averages 4.5 blocks per game, right behind Jordan Mickeys 4.8 per game.

*Washington St lost to TCU so you know they are terrible.



Prediction:

LSU goes 2-1 with win's over Saint Joseph's and Memphis. Lose to Oklahoma State in championship game.