re: Define Success for Will Wade's Tigers Next Season

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With the talent that is already here, and possible 4 top100 recruits, I think a tournament appearance is very possible. I don't think it's wrong to have those expectations. The talent I there they just lacked fundamentals basketball IQ, and defense which can all be coached.

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I'm with you.
I'm not going to expect a tourney experience, but it would not surprise me if this guy is who they say he is.
I don't know what our schedule looks like either, which can play a big part in that too. We can have a shitty schedule, win 25 games and barely make the NIT, or we can have a tough schedule, win 19 games and make the tourney.

I think a decent season would be winning 8-9 games in the SEC, and just looking competitive, especially on defense.

From the article about him posted in another thread:

“A model of consistency. Blue-collar, tough, gritty, hard-working, aggressive program,” Wade says. “Not a lot of ups and downs. Consistent and winning big games in March. Just keep this thing going down the tracks.”

That is my standard.

LSU is probably the most blue-collar of all the SEC schools. That should be reflected in our athletic culture. It certainly was in Dale Brown's best years. It hasn't been the last two years in basketball.

I want to see a team that the fans feel is working as hard to play as the fans are working to pay for the seats.

Do that, and the PMAC will be filled again.

GEAUX TIGERS

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Trent Johnson 2.0

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so, make the tourney in his first season? Damn, those expectations are lofty...

When Dale Brown took over for Press Marovich in 1972, he took a loosing team and his first season was 16-10; 9-9 in SEC. Team was energized and dubbed the "Hustlers" competitive and played hard. This would be a good target for Wade to achieve. It would start to re-energize the fan base.

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Jones won 19 his first year with nothing Wade can surpass that.

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He had JOB a future NBA player, Coleman who was underrated and a great player for his size. Three competent guards in Hickey, Cartouche and Stringer. He had the famous Tuba to give him 10 minutes. The problem was the bench was weak. Nonetheless, he had far more than nothing.

Not giving up 100 points

16-19 wins overall seems to equal a near .500 conference record. That would be a great first year, plus start building a solid recruiting class and that will be great progress.

Back in the day when tourney trips were a regular occurrence, there was always interest in the program and fans went to the games. While not all of the teams during the Brown era were great, you always had a sense they could make a decent run most years.

I know times are different with the one and dones, but regaining some consistency and getting the fans back engaged on a broader scale would represent success going forward.

Our history suggests the program is better than who and where we are currently.

It's really hard to say because we don't really know who will be on the team and we don't really know how good the players on the team now actually are. I would guess that 6-8 league wins would be reasonable though. I would probably give him that in year two as well. Starting in year 3, I would like to see them go to the NCAA tournament 1 out of every 2 years. To me, that is a realistic goal for LSU basketball.

Coleman was already signed by Trent Jones. The fact that very few realized how good he was has nothing to do with the fact that he was good and did produce. Most players show a big jump in play after their freshman year and JOB was a good example. Carmouche was the big difference maker that year and Johnny did bring him in as a senior transfer. I imagine that Wade will bring one of those in as well.

You really need to work on your debating skills. On the one hand you are saying that a team that went 9-9 in the SEC had less talent than the current one that went 2-16 in SEC and was blown out time after time. Comparing a shooting guard to a Power Forward is nonsensical and proves nothing.

Assuming Blakeney leaves we have Sampson who looks spectacular at times on drives and dunks but couldn't play defense if his life depended on it and whose outside shot comes and goes. Patterson whose game has gone down every year. Robinson and Epps who have the worst hands I have ever seen and are turnover machines. And yes I would take Tuba over either of them. Reath who also has turnover problems, shot selection problems, strength problems and just disappears in a lot of games due to foul trouble or just not performing.

Can coaching make them better? I sure hope so. But to say CJJ had nothing his first year here and then say on the other hand our cupboard is over flowing for Wade and if he doesn't win big it means Jones was a better coach is just so absurd I don't have words for it.