LSU vs SLU: 94-63 LSU FINAL

Well this past weekend was brutal for LSU fans. We took it on the chin by one of our fiercest rivals. Even though football season is not over, tomorrow night rings in the new season of LSU Basketball, and I don't think it's a secret we expect big things and I am PUMPED.

It has been a whirlwind the last few months of good and bad, and of course the tragedy of Wayde Sims. I'm here just to give a few meaningless stats from last year, try to do the best I can to project a lineup and give some insight, and get some good positive discussion about something other than football.

Honestly, I have no idea what SLU's starting lineup will be, so I'm going to just Preview LSU and give insight on the good guys.

LSU Projected Starting Lineup:

F- #0 Naz Reid FR: 5-star, Prep-AA, McD's AA
F #11 Kavell Bigby-Williams SR- 2015 JUCO POY, transfer from Oregon
G- #1 Ja'vonte Smart FR: Very High 4-star, 3-time Mr Basketball in LA
G- #4 Skylar Mays JR: 11.3 PPG, 3APG, 4RPG in '17-'18
G- #3 Tremont Waters SO: 15.9PPG, 6APG, 2SPG in '17-'18

Key Subs:
F #22 Darius Days FR - 4 star recruit, top 100 player
G #5 Daryl Edwards SR- 6.8PPG, Top shooter for team
F #11 Kavell Bigby-Williams SR- Transfer from Oregon
F #24 Emmitt Williams FR- 5-star, Broke Lebron's scoring record at Jordan Game
G #14 Marlon Taylor- Explosive athlete from JUCO

Will Wade sat down with Cody Worsham last week on the 1st 'Boot Up' podcast of the season. You can listen here: Boot Up

For those that don't want to listen to our savior Will Wade talk for 30 minutes, here are some Cliff Notes:

ETA: He talked about who he would want from football team for basketball. Said Anderson and Sullivan for height, Giles can really shoot, then Delpit and Greedy because they're studs. Said Edwards played QB in HS, and Verge talked to Taylor because he wanted him for football. He broke down about how defense has been main priority, teaching more rebounding techniques than he normally does, then gave a breakdown of each player...summaries are as follows:

Tremont Waters: Working with NBA guys in offseason made him stronger

Skylar Mays: Most improved (same as last year), in gym every day, Wade has to kick him out, wishes there were 10 of him, will cry when he leaves

Ja'vonte Smart: Had a Friday where he went into the stadium to do some cardio, then worked out, then 2-hour basketball practice, then extra cardio. Brings an edge and toughness that we need, he wants to do well and win so badly. Need to polish things because he just tries to hard to win. Pride for Louisiana and LSU.

Marlon Taylor: Special athlete, special dunker, long athletic wing, been banged up, hoping he plays vs SLU.

Daryl Edwards: Defensive presence and edge, Excellent shooter, had to force him to shoot with the lights off.

Emmitt Williams: Brings a nastiness and ferociousness to our team with how he plays, have to tame him down because he's so aggressive. Challenged him to be leading rebounding.

Naz Reid: Unbelievable natural talent. Running a lot of things through him, when he has the ball good things happen for our team, not just scoring.

Danya Kingsby: Defensive pest, lightning quick with the ball. Wade didn't know during the interview, but Kingsby will redshirt this season.

Cooper/Hyatt: Both talented guys, both need to get into weight room so they will redshirt this season.

Kavell Bigby-Williams: Big blocker and brings experience. Wade thinks LSU would have played 5 more games with him eligible last year. Looks like he's shot out of a cannon when he runs.

Hearing Will Wade talk got me so jacked. He pointed out with so many new faces, the beginning of the season could have some rough patches, but it's all to be battled tested for later in the year. He feels confident we will hit stride when it matters.

Prediction for Players:

I really believe we will spread the ball around A LOT. I think Tremont's scoring may take a small step backwards, but his assists may skyrocket. I predict Tremont is a 2nd team All-SEC.

I also think Naz will be a 1st teamer All-SEC, and Freshman All-American, and 3rd team All-American. I really think Naz could be in for a 16ppg, 7rpg, 3.5apg type of year while being double teamed often. His impact will be even greater than his stats.

Emmitt Williams WILL lead LSU in rebounds AND blocks at around 8rpg and 1.4bpg. I predict he will end around 10ppg, 8rpg, and be FUN to watch while grabbing All-Freshman SEC honors.

Skylar Mays will be defensive All-SEC getting over 2 steals per game.

Ja'vonte Smart could potentially be the unsung hero. Kid has a special talent, and I felt during his recruitment he could be a top 10 player, but the "experts" find tiny flaws everywhere. He needs to work on his defense, but the guy can score and get people involved. He could be a Freshman AA, but there are so many guys able to put the ball in the basket, I just don't know his role...so pumped to see it tomorrow night.

The most exciting thing about this team, is that we are 9 deep of TALENT. Kavell, Marlon, Edwards, Days could start for many teams, including several SEC teams. A lot of this is a shot in the dark because it is hard to know what roles Wade will play with guys, but I really really believe in this team.

Prediction for Season:

I believe LSU will start strong winning their first 6 before falling to Villanova in the Advocate Invitational final. We will win our next 3 including a trip to Houston, before falling in Vegas to St. Marys. I think we will then go through our SEC slate and go 13-5.

Final Regular Season: 24-7 (13-5 SEC)

I firmly believe with the decently manageable start to the season will help our young guys gel, then the SEC slate will allow them to be battle tested...all which will help us get to the Elite 8.

ETA: Lunardi just added first Bracketology and he can suck it

SLU PREVIEW ON PAGE 2 COURTESY OF CoastTrashTiger