re: LSU Basketball AP ranking prediction

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Field is weaker this year. So even though last years team was more talented, we may make it further this year.

Especially with having wade on the sideline.

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As with just about any year, it really depends on the matchups. I don't love this team vs. a group that has enough size to mitigate LSU's offensive rebounding prowess (see Miss State) or can pressure the ball and force turnovers. LSU's defense, while somewhat better vs. Texas, still probably isn't good enough to keep opponents from scoring efficiently. It would be a matter of if LSU can just simply outpace and opponent with their own scoring ability. Very few teams this year have been able to prevent LSU from scoring...as long as LSU values the basketball and doesn't turn it over.

Texas got back into the game by pressuring and forcing TO's. And despite good offensive nights, Ole Miss and A&M stayed in the game by forcing LSU to turn it over. For as good as they are offensively, this team seems to have a knack for committing a terrible turnover just at the time they look like they might start to put an opponent away. Then they combine that with not being able to string together several stops (defensively) in a row...leading to a blown lead and a nerve-racking finish.

All that said, no one is probably going to be happy to see LSU pop up as their opponent (assuming LSU reaches the NCAAT). Because despite their moments of absolutely frustrating play, they still have 5 starters, anyone of whom could have a huge scoring night. Very few teams have that. Kind of like the football offense, there's no one guy in LSU's starting 5 you can focus your efforts on. You shut down one, only to find there are 4 others who can easily put up 20+