re: LSU 2019 and Beyond Basketball Recruiting Thread

Sounds like it’s a matter of CAN he reclassify, not whether he wants to. Seems that if he gets the credits this summer he’s doing it.

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Man, I really hope it's B but if so, why not simply grab an extra big for depth? Watford and Dante could both be gone by the 20-21 season.

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Seeing how Wade has operated in his short time here, I wouldn't be shocked if it is both A & B.

He has been kind of playing coy with the recruiting info., and par for the course since he has been here, news has been slow to leak. As frustrating as it is for us as fans to play the wait game, you have to give the man props on playing things very close to the vest and not allowing much, if any, info. to leak out before he wants it to.

He has also been saying that he would love to get a big to play immediately (maybe, hopefully that is Dante and he knows something we all don't know), and he wants a big that can transfer and sit for a year to develop and have for 2020-21 season (which could possibly be a late grad transfer market guy he believes will pop up). I won't swear to this, but it seems as though I read in an article from Billy that one of Wade's statements to them at SEC meetings was that LSU has been talking to some guys that have maybe not hit the transfer market yet. I know that is supposed to be a no-no to contact; but I don't think there would be anything against the player reaching out to LSU first to feel things out before putting their name in the portal.

TigerLaw40, I agree with what you say. I wish college BB weren't so unstable with the one-and-done dynamic. It was great back in the 80s when you could count on almost everyone being with the team for at least 3 years. That being said, Wade has handled the current dynamic better than any other LSU coach. Even if we stand pat with what we have that's the case. Landing Watford to replace Reid was huge. If he lands a serviceable big to play effective D in the lane, we'll be a better team going into this season than last (if we aren't already). Wade appears to be always in the game, engaging folks, following the process, and that should continue to lead to good results.

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Manswers

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Agree with you all around.

To this point, I don't know if we have ever seen or had a coach that is as close to a complete package as Wade. He seems to know how to recruit (which was the question mark when he was first hired), manage the program, market the program, develop & motivate players, hire an effective staff, and bench coach. Other successful coaches we have had (e.g. Brown & Brady) were good to great in certain areas and not in others; but Wade just seems to be good to great at all of it.

That is what freaked me out most with all of the scandal stuff. I was (still a little am) terrified of losing Wade b/c I love what LSU basketball has now and always want it to be a consistent winner and tournament team, which is what Wade brings to the table.

A "sit-out" player could be a transfer or a high school player that needs to redshirt for development. I think John Ojiako might qualify as a sit-out player, although he looks like he could play now.

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If he lands a serviceable big to play effective D in the lane, we'll be a better team going into this season than last (if we aren't already).

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It's hard to say LSU will be "better" next season considering to do so they would have to at least win the SEC again AND do it with a conf. record better than 16-2. Yes, LSU had some breaks go their way in close games, but that 16-2 record (which included ROAD wins at Ole Miss, Miss. St., Florida, UK) was an incredible accomplishment. Expecting them to repeat that performance is difficult.
However, I'd gladly take a season like Auburn had. Deal with a bit of inconsistency in SEC play (despite high expectations going into the season) only to catch fire late and damn near win the whole thing.

KBW's role will be difficult to replace, and I think people are going to realize just how special Waters was now that he's gone. Still, an SEC finish between 3-6 is reasonable to expect

I do not expect them to go 26-5 and 16-2, but if LSU doesn't finish in Top 4 of the conference next year I will be disappointed.

I agree they will miss KBW the most. If they can get Dante this year they absolutely can repeat as champs IMO.

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I know that is supposed to be a no-no to contact;

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Wade don’t give a shite

Just saw on the portal that a couple players associate with LSU have made choices.

UNCG center Eric Hamilton committed to Pitt.

Nevada forward Jordan Brown committed to Arizona.

This further cements my theory that LSU has a player already lined up, either Dante or an undeclared Grad transfer,

LSU is making no effort for any of the available players.

Or Wade is just being patient like he said in an interview recently.