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2013-2014 Season Recap and Quick Look Forward

Posted on 3/25/14 at 7:57 am
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43480 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 7:57 am
LSU's roller coaster season ended Monday night in Dallas when the Tigers were unable to hold on to a halftime lead against the Mustangs. LSU was able to secure their first 20 win season since 2009 and won their first post-season tournament game since that same year.

Still, this season was like making 10% in the stock market when the index was up 15%. Your overall portfolio is better than the year before, but not as good as you expected. Preseason, LSU was picked to finish between 3rd and 5th in the SEC. They ended up in a 3 way tie for 6th. Last season, LSU ended in a 2 way tie for 8th. There's some improvement, but not as much as expected.



Last year LSU finished the season with a 100 KenPom ranking. This season LSU has finished at 58th. Improvement, but not as much as hoped. The theme is obvious, there's not much you can look at and say "LSU is worse off in this category." Still, there is a disappointment hanging above Tiger fans.

LSU's offense averaged 1.04 points per possession in 2013 and 1.10 PPP in 2014. Their tempo was much more fun to watch. They increased their free throw percentage by over 4%, and their two point percentage by 2.5%. They averaged less turnovers per possession and had a better offensive rebound percentage. On defense, they moved up 120 spots in two point percentage defense. They blocked 14% of opponents two point shots compared to 9.7% last year. They even allowed 3% less offensive rebounds.

And while LSU is losing key players (Shavon Coleman, Andre Stringer, and possibly O'Bryant), the Tigers are bringing in some elite talent to join next season's squad. LSU will be bringing in JUCO transfer Josh Gray who led all JUCO players in scoring this season with 33.8 points per game, as well as UNC-A transfer Keith Hornsby where he was 2nd in the NCAA in free throw percentage hitting 99 of 107 (92.5%) during his sophomore campaign. He averaged 15 points per game and has been practicing with the team all year.



From the high school ranks, LSU adds some much needed depth to the front court when they bring in Aaron Epps and Elbert Robinson. Also making his way to the Tigers program is Jalyn Patterson the extremely successful PG at Montverde Academy in Florida.

Projected Roster:

PG
Anthony Hickey (SR)
Tim Quarterman (SO)
Jalyn Patterson (FR)

SG
Josh Gray (JR)
Keith Hornsby (JR)
Malik Morgan (JR)

SF
Jarell Martin (SO)
Shane Hammink (JR)
Brian Bridgewater (FR)

PF
Jordan Mickey (SO)
Aaron Epps (FR)

C
Elbert Robinson (FR)
Darcy Malone (SO)
John Odo (SR)

*NCAA Rules only allow 13 scholarship player's. However, I am not going to project attrition. It's not fair to the athlete's.*

LSU should hear about the intentions of Johnny O'Bryant in the coming week. He told media that he would not wait long to make his decision, and while Jordan Mickey hasn't made his intentions public, most believe he will be back for his sophomore season, including myself.

What better way to end another basketball season than to say it like it is; "There's always next year."
Posted by Fratastic423
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
5990 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 8:04 am to
Thanks for the nice recap SOS. I saw in a thread last night that you were thinking about giving up the preview work. There are people who appreciate and look forward to reading your work, so here is my vote for you to keep that up next season.

I agree with your reaction to the season. I do think it was tough to keep our expectations in check. We see good classes make huge impacts at other schools and expected the same here, without realizing that those schools have slightly stronger foundations which obviously helps out. We played so well at times and then so frustratingly lazy. I will still repurchase my season tickets and keep going.
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43480 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 8:20 am to
Last night was emotional for me. Don't worry.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27693 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 10:18 am to
Nice recap and perfectly sums up my feelings as well.

I know everyone is expecting Martin to be a monster next year, but I'm anxious to see Quarterman's improvement. I think he'll be a stud before he leaves.
Posted by quail man
New York, NY
Member since May 2010
40932 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 10:32 am to
Insert worlds most interesting man.jpg

I don't always follow LSU basketball closely

But when I do, I come read what SOS posts first.

Great work all season, mate. Your contributions on this board are unmatched, and I hope you don't allow the negatigers to kill your grove.
Posted by Pilot Tiger
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2005
73182 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 10:41 am to
God I hope JOB and Mickey both come back
Posted by TH03
Mogadishu
Member since Dec 2008
171114 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 10:52 am to
man that second half was tough. smu just started dropping everything, and we missed every open shot.

fun as shite to be there. we were pretty damn loud. CJJ pointed to us before the game, it was cool
Posted by Dr. Morgus
Member since Dec 2001
Member since Jul 2013
3740 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 11:00 am to
quote:

and while Jordan Mickey hasn't made his intentions public, most believe he will be back for his sophomore season, including myself.


well that makes us all feel a whole lot better


































Posted by fightingtigers98
Member since Oct 2011
13250 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 4:27 pm to
LSU should have won around 23-24 games this year, but lost them due to being lazy and just not playing well

RI
Bama
A&M
UMass(which is the outlier and not having Martin hurt)
Posted by LSU 318 LSU
El Cerrito Place
Member since Jan 2011
4278 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 4:29 pm to
SOS, is Ben Simmons for this upcoming class or the following year?
Posted by gorillaballin
uptown nola y'heard
Member since Dec 2007
550 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 7:17 pm to
Thanks for taking the time to do these previews/recaps SOS. I rarely post but always read them. Geaux Tigers, hopefully next year we'll continue in the right direction
Posted by Dirty Pierre
West Chimes St
Member since Sep 2011
745 posts
Posted on 3/25/14 at 8:03 pm to

Nice Summary, SOS. Enjoy reading your posts.

Also looking forward to seeing what 5 star recruit Ben Simmons can bring, the following year.

Posted by cornstarch
Member since May 2010
2226 posts
Posted on 3/26/14 at 1:27 am to
quote:

SouthOfSouth

As always You cover the team as good as anyone out there. Great shite, all year, sir.

Yeah, before the season I expected us to get to the tourney and even win a game in it as well. But Martin didn't take over as we all expected and the team as a whole had consistency/effort issues (is that the players or the coach's fault? Who knows). That being said, Johnny Jones is the man for the job - we know LSU fans, especially those on TigerDroppings, are quick to pull the trigger after any bit of adversity. The truth is it is the man's second year and there has been improvement - albeit not as much as expected - it's still moving forward.

Still excited about this team and I'm sad to see the season end. LSU Basketball is the 2nd most exciting team that LSU brings to the table, behind football of course.
Posted by SW Fla Tiger
The Villages, Fl
Member since Jul 2011
100 posts
Posted on 3/26/14 at 8:04 am to
Great post. Always enjoy having updated info. FWIW Montverde Academy is in Florida, just North of Orlando.
Posted by Tiger Ugly
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2008
14665 posts
Posted on 3/26/14 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

What better way to end another basketball season than to say it like it is; "There's always next year."


That pretty much sums it up for me SOS.

By any measure or rationalization, this year was a disappointement.

Doesn't mean there is no hope for the future, but for me this year dampens the optimism just a little.

But with talent comes hope and in the next two years at least, it seems the influx will continue.

One point I'd like to make is we cannot accept underachievement. When you do that complacency sets in.

It's O.K. to say let's give CJJ time. I can live with that. I will.

But there must be tangible progress we can see beyond recruiting. And there should be accountablility demanded by the fan base or else the status quo will continue as long as the recruiting is fine.

This year has raised legitimate concerns and red flags. CJJ has to address those and show he can answer them.

I'll be there supporting, but my kind is a dying breed. Apathy is a program killer and there ain't a whole lot of people left who care enough to hold us to a standard that will get the program to where I want it.

Keep the talent coming in, but don't stop there.
Posted by Tom Bronco
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2011
2662 posts
Posted on 3/28/14 at 11:46 am to
Coleman and Stringer had great senior seasons. Can't fault either of those two for effort and heart. JOB had a mixed season and we seemed to rise or fall on his shoulders way too much. I think with him gone we can have a more balanced team offense. I do think he has a shot at a pro career as he won't be double teamed in the pros and they almost never call walking. Defense will have to improve though.

We don't have the schedule or the final roster so no predictions for next year. I have also learned not to put too much faith in players who haven't proved themselves yet. Josh Gray comes in with a lot of hype but JC isn't the same as the SEC. The two freshmen big men will undoubtedly be rough and have a lot to learn. Perhaps Odo can play more and give us some solid minutes until they settle in. Mickey needs to get stronger, Martin needs a better jump shot and Hickey needs to drive and dish more often. I think Hornsby is the missing link and will have to come through for us to have a good season. We need solid steady play from him as he will be filling both Andre and Colman's shoes.

Looking back I don't think this team was lazy as much as they were all kind of laid back personalities. When they were excited and had the adrenaline going they were great. Almost like two different teams which is what made them so hard to watch at times. Never knew if you were going to get Dr. Jekyl or Mr. Hyde.

Really need some team leadership that will get us fired up and keep us that way. Hope Gray or Hornsby can do that because Hickey is just not that way.
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