re: LSU basketball transfer portal watch

Joe Girard went to Glens Falls High School and set the all time New York high school scoring record while leading Glens Falls to their first and only state championship in basketball.

Another Glens Falls alum, Jimmer Fredette, once held that record. I played varsity basketball at Glens Falls High School many years ago, when Sam Perkins was playing down the road at Shaker High. Like to see my fellow Indians do well.

I’d imagine Girard is going to Clemson and that’s probably ok bc it doesn’t sound like we need another short guard

Trying to be optimistic but where the hell do rebounds and toughness inside come from with the roster that’s shaping up ?

Ok but we also need some inside presence and I think we only have like 2 spots left

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I doubt a player with 123 career starts is coming to LSU as an insurance policy. The reality is that there aren't a lot of minutes left with 11 scholarship players already. Maybe Girard does come to LSU to battle for a starting spot, but these last two spots might end up going to role players.

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Girard definitely isn't going anywhere to play 15-20 minutes off the bench. Perhaps if he choses LSU it would be Stewart coming off the bench. The benefit of the doubt being given to Girard due to experience and proven production in a better league (ACC vs. WCC). The downside is that would be a very small backcourt with Cook and Girard. Not quite Hickey/Stringer small, but close.

That said, LSU is not in a position to be overly selective. Last season's results did not create an appealing place to transfer. That's why 3 of LSU 4 transfers thus far are BR natives. THAT was the biggest draw for them...not necessarily LSU. So if a talent player wants to join your team, even if it is not quite an ideal "fit", you probably don't turn him away.

It's almost a certainty LSU is going to have some holes in their team next season (almost every team does). It won't be the perfect roster. But good coaches find a way to maximize their team's strengths and get the best out of what they have. Losing coaches try to force their rosters to do things they can't.

I'm certain McMahon has a list of his top targets. But you can't force anyone to say yes. So you take the best of what you can get and make it work...even if next year's roster may play a vastly different style.

Girard announced that he will be a Tiger, but of course that could be a Clemson Tiger or an LSU Tiger. Does body language mean anything here? He's pointing in the picture wearing the LSU jersey, while he's dribbling in the Clemson jersey. I'd like to think it means he's talking to us.

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We do need that last spot to be an inside presence. There aren't many good options left. Cisse would be fantastic

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I wouldn't be completely opposed if LSU went to the JUCO ranks for an athletic big who could do little more than rebound and alter shots. That's basically what Kavell Bigby-Williams was. He was JUCO POY before going to Oregon (and ultimately LSU). Two of the biggest surprise teams last year, Kansas St and Missouri, both had JUCO bigs play key roles.

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Tre White is from Dallas, so he may be interested.

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He was recruited by LSU last year and even took one of his visits here. So I would imagine there is still familiarity with the staff. The problem is probably LSU's most talented position from an athletic standpoint is the SF (3) spot with Ward, Wilkinson, and, to some extent Reed (whose game is more of a 3 than 4/5). I'm sure those guys who all have apparently decided to stay don't really want to be rewarded for their loyalty by being asked to take a backseat to a transfer...even if that transfer may be better.

Tyson Brown is an interesting JUCO prospect that I believe is still uncommitted from Florida Southwestern:

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Kaeson Pryor wasn't good at Boise, but had a good year at Northwest Florida, and that's in Niceville,FL, which is almost walking distance to LSU. :)

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Portal Targets
BJ Mack-Wofford
Joe Girard-Syracuse
Tre White-USC
Moussa Cisse-Oklahoma State

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Mack to South Carolina.

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Mack to South Carolina.

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I didn't think Mack was a fit once we got Baker, so I didn't think he should've been a target once we signed Baker. White and Cisse would be great fits, so I hope we get one of them.

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Ven-Allen Lubin is transfering from Notre Dame, so maybe Kelly can help pursuade him. He's from Orlando, so it also gets him closer and to a warmer climate. He's a good rebounder and decent defender.

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Surprising that not much talk happening anywhere regarding Lubin, ND's prized 2022 recruit. He is a strong player in the post for a freshman (sort of like E.W. was) and also has some passing skills. Good high character guy with competitive spirit that would seem to fit CMM's preference. Could be a numbers game though as he would be part of the mix dividing up the 80 minutes at 4/5 with Baker, Fountain, Reed, and Chest depending on situations and opponents - maybe not enough to go around.