re: MBB Offseason '25 Transfer Portal Tracker

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This is literally the first recruiting battle we've lost this offseason

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My comment was more generally speaking. This was supposed to be a big money game changing NIL class for LSU, and that just isn't happening. As of today, this new roster probably still has LSU in the bottom 1/4 of the SEC.

I really like the base we got right now. We have 4 starters who are all capable and crafty scorers who are comfortable with the ball in their hands, and a decent bench with Givens, Miller, Mackinnon, and Nwoko. We have seen CMM's team get better each year defensively so if we can keep that trend going the floor is definitely going to improve.
Outside shooting is a definitely an important aspect, but if you live by it you also die by it. It is also just not the case that King or Thomas are incapable of scoring from deep. I would take Haggerty or Claude in a heartbeat and let Mackinnon or Mosley be our shooters.

I would also argue that the league will be taking a step back as well A&M and Miss State will become must wins.

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I really like the base we got right now. We have 4 starters who are all capable and crafty scorers who are comfortable with the ball in their hands, and a decent bench

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If you went back to March-May of 2022, 2023, 2024, you would see virtually the EXACT same comments/superlatives...only the names would change. Go back to posts during those years. You'll see the same debates you're seeing now. Some don't think very much of the transfers, which is met immediately with angry responses to the lack of optimism. Who was more "correct" in those debates is subjective. But the actual on court results over the 3 years aren't. That's killed any benefit of the doubt afforded to McMahon. Names on paper today look good, just like they have for the last 3 years at this time. But until they actually translate to real success, few are going to believe they will under McMahon.

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We have seen CMM's team get better each year defensively so if we can keep that trend going the floor is definitely going to improve.

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The single biggest reason for that improvement was LSU improved its rim protection this year. Unfortunately, the two guys responsible for that (Collins and Chest...both top 10 in the SEC in block %) are gone. You also had guys like Carter and Bailey come over who had been good defenders in their careers.

Miller showed brief flashes of rim protection, but nothing consistent. He certainly has the length to maybe be a good interior defender. But he's not someone who immediately flashed as a great shot blocker like good shot blockers often do (it was evident immediately with guys like Mickey and Chest). Reed is a below the rim player. Nwoko had moments of good rim protection at MSU. But with those moments came a ton of fouls. That's a big reason that despite starting every game he only played ~15 mpg. The great defenders defend WITHOUT fouling. What good is a guy if he can only play less than 1/2 the game and averages 2 fouls for every 1 block? The other transfers LSU has brought in, while solid offensive players at previous schools, have never been good defensive players. Certainly in comparison to guys like Carter and Bailey who had that rep coming in last year.

Right now (which could change with more additions), this looks like a worse defensive team from last year.

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It is also just not the case that King or Thomas are incapable of scoring from deep

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King is a career 31% three point shooter. Thomas has been better at 36%, but on relatively limited attempt. I don't know if either guy could be called "shooters". That's not to say they can't improve, Carter made a HUGE jump as a 3 point shooter this year, but on paper, outside shooting looks to be a concern. LSU was dead last in 3 point shooting last year despite McMahon clearly wanting that to be a big part of the offense (4th in the SEC in 3 point attempts per game).

What is the philosophy or vision McMahon is trying to install here? It seems like this year is no different than years past where he just tries to cobble together the most talent he can, not necessarily the best talent that can fit his system (whatever that is).

I’m skeptical about this group of transfers. Aside from Dedan Thomas, none of the others really seem to jump out at me. I hope I’m wrong but they don’t seem like game changers. I remember last year how they sang Jordan Sears praises but that turned out to be pedestrian at best.

Also what is this nonsense about we’re hoping for two guys to jump in the portal so we can pursue? That seems awfully risky and just says to me that it is a continuation of McMahon’s poor roster construction and planning. If you remember, McMahon was aware of Jalen Cook facing possible suspension and still did not have a backup point guard on the roster.

It just seems like more of the same to me.

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What is the philosophy or vision McMahon is trying to install here? It seems like this year is no different than years past where he just tries to cobble together the most talent he can, not necessarily the best talent that can fit his system (whatever that is).

I’m skeptical about this group of transfers. Aside from Dedan Thomas, none of the others really seem to jump out at me. I hope I’m wrong but they don’t seem like game changers. I remember last year how they sang Jordan Sears praises but that turned out to be pedestrian at best.

Also what is this nonsense about we’re hoping for two guys to jump in the portal so we can pursue? That seems awfully risky and just says to me that it is a continuation of McMahon’s poor roster construction and planning. If you remember, McMahon was aware of Jalen Cook facing possible suspension and still did not have a backup point guard on the roster.

It just seems like more of the same to me.

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I tend to agree.

There are two general philosophies in roster building. (1) You get guys that fit your philosophy/preferred approach, even if they may not be great players in another style of play; or (2) you sign the best collection of players you can and the coach adapts his style of play/approach to best fit the strengths of that particularly roster.

Thus far, McMahon has done neither. At best, it's been a bit of a hodgepodge of both with little success. If this roster is a poor outside shooting team is McMahon going to continue to ask them to be a good outside shooting team when they are incapable of doing so? Or will the approach change to a team that tries to get to the rim/FT line more often? If they are particularly good in the halfcourt, but have solid athleticism, will McMahon try to speed up the pace, on both ends, to take advantage of the more athletic team? Or will he just maintain his core approach (whatever that is?) and say "oh well, we just need better players" as the losses pile up.

Comparing the current state of next year's roster with last year's roster, it's hard to say right now next year's roster is significantly better. Somewhat better? Sure. The same? Ok. Significantly better? I don't know. Regardless, even if next year's roster isn't significantly better I still think there is a path to success...even if it may be a different path that the one for last year's roster (that they obviously didn't take), or the year before. I just don't have any confidence McMahon can find it.

Would be a big get and thats a list of suitors we can certainly win against

I’d take him.

Coach that can actually win 4-5mil/yr
We definitely don’t have one of those !!

Hey, just reality.