re: LSU basketball transfer portal watch

Collins looks like a great pickup and may be an improvement over Phillips. If he can put his family losses aside and concentrate on adding a little good weight he will be an elite rim protector and rebounder.

An update on our transfer class rankings (again not that these matter all that much without on court results) after the pickup of Collins:
247 has us ranked at #13 overall and #3 in the SEC behind Arkansas and Ole Miss
On3 has us ranked at #7 overall and #3 in the SEC behind South Carolina and Missouri

So taking the average of the two ranking systems, I think its fair to say Mcmahon was able to put together a top 10 transfer class and the third best transfer class in the SEC. Picked up some pretty big wins in the portal, now its time to pick up some wins on the court

Averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this past season. Averaged 48% from FG and nearly 40% from 3P.

The coaching staff can always run off the 13th guy on scholarship (tactfully of course). Or maybe NIL can pay for school for one of the players. A coach has to always be looking to improve his roster any way possible.

I guess there is a chance that Cook's waiver was denied.

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I guess there is a chance that Cook's waiver was denied.

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Possibly.

But what do you do if you are McMahon? Take both in on "standby"? I doubt either player would agree to that arrangement.

On3 weeks ago reported that Cook is in no problem

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They were also adamant that LSU was full before collins commited.

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I can't comment on the On3 articles because I haven't seen them. But there does appear to be some confusion somewhere. If Cook is "fine" and LSU was "full" before Collins committed (even though from a numbers count he was #13) then seemingly one of these things have to be accurate:

1. Cook is not "fine", as in LSU is not 100% confident he will be eligible this year.

2. LSU is not self-imposing a one scholarship reduction (at least not this year)

3. Someone presumed to be on the roster for next year is actually not going to be.

Presumably this information should not be all that difficult to find. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think in order for players on the roster to be eligible to participate in summer workouts, they have to be enrolled as active students. The first summer session started on May 22. So if a player is enrolled, taking classes, and participating in team activities, it is probably reasonable to assume he will be on the team in the fall.

Now, there is a second summer session that begins on July 3. So I guess there would still be another opportunity for a transfer to enroll and participate in (late) summer activities. I know reporters can't go into workouts, etc., but just camp out a day or so and see who is going to the workouts. If a returning player from last year's roster isn't going that may give some indication he is likely to transfer.

My guess? The stuff about the self imposed scholarship ban is inaccurate and Collins simply completed the roster.

I know I stated that I spoke with someone connected to the program who confirmed the scholarship ban, but I still stand by my other statement that it makes absolutely no sense to self impose a scholarship limit this year and not last

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Here is my way too soon starting lineup which will undoubtedly not be accurate as I am not even sure who will be on the team. Jalen Cook - PG Jordan Wright - SG Will Baker - C Hunter Dean - PF Tyrell Ward - SF

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Here is mine:

Jalen Cook - PG/Stewart/Hannibal/Williams

Jordan Wright - SG/Stewart

Damion Collins -C/Willl Baker/Dean

Will Baker - PF/Fountain/Reed/Chest

Wilkinson - SF/Tyrell Ward/Wright

I think Baker will stay in most of the game, but I prefer him at PF to allow him to use his perimeter game. I don’t think Dean and Baker will play together very much, because that would be a poor defensive team, and I don’t think Dean adds much offense. Dean is just going to be a body to get a few minutes to rough people up. Collins is too talented not to start as well, and we need his presence in the middle. Wilkinson is too good not to start and he has always started on very talented teams, while Ward has just flashed. I think it’ll be interesting to see if Reed takes a step forward. Will he beat Fountain that was our 2nd best player last year. It’ll also be interesting to see if Fountain can also break in to the starting lineup, and where and who he’ll beat.