re: LSU 64 @ #11 South Carolina 63 | Tigers Win!!! Tigers Win!!!

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Ole miss, miss state, tamu all projected in right now. If we had beaten dayton, north texas and nichollas we’d be in

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LSU did beat North Texas.

Currently LSU is ranked 88th in the NET. They are 5-10 in Q1-2 games and 4-8 away from home. Simply beating Dayton and Nichols wouldn’t be enough. Now, if you were to switch out Florida for Nichols LSU MIGHT be on the fringe of the conversation.

If by some miracle LSU runs the table, finishes 6-0, and there is carnage around them they MAY find themselves in the discussion. Unfortunately, Kentucky is the last Q1 opportunity on the schedule. A schedule that right now has a strong SOS of 18. But one that will get worse when LSU plays games against Vandy, Missouri and Arkansas (all 100+ NET teams).

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Agree with all of this, but I gotta say Baker is one of the most frustrating players I’ve ever watched in my life.

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Agree DBTD225, the guy had a nice 4-game stretch offensively before this game, but he HAS to have games like those 4 to justify the minutes he's getting because he really struggles defensively and in rebounding....so much so it hurts the team at times even more than the games in which he scores a bunch helps.

The Florida game for example - he had 16 points early in the second half but we were down 20. CMM said post game we went with a more defensive lineup that sparked us. He did not mention Baker specifically, but he did not have too. If I remember yesterday, much of the rally came with Baker on the bench as well.

I hate to pick on the guy, he does have some impressive offensive flashes. And I do think he gives the effort. But the limitations are something CMM will have to manage.

Dean leads Baker in every adjusted rebounding category (adjusted for minutes played). Particularly when you limit the stats to conference games. And a lot of Baker’s rebounds are uncontested rebounds where the opponent has essentially conceded the rebound and started going back on defense. He get easily knocked off his spot on contested rebounds.

When Baker is scoring like he was in the games leading up to yesterday it opens LSU’s offense up and makes them very efficient. When he’s not, he’s a liability. Yesterday the officials were allowing physical play. That style fit Dean and you saw it when LSU went to the ball-side screen and roll with Wright over and over again in the second half.

John Sundvold said it best yesterday. Dean is a “quick leaper”. Often the guy who makes the play around the rim is not necessarily the most athletic, but the guy who gets off the floor first. Baker, on the other hand, takes FOREVER to get off the floor. He has a very exaggerated “load-up” (swinging his arms back) to jump.

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Hell If Hannibal had an outside shot he might be an all American. He is a beast on the boards and strong to the hoop. Wish he’d take the 15-20 footers they literally give him. Would open up the lane which helps Baker and Wright.

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Tbh most of this year’s roster is some version of “he can do this well, but when it comes to that…”

Hannibal is less frustrating to me because while what you said is true, he’s still consistently a net positive — not trying to be a dick, but I just can’t say the same for Baker or Cook.

I’m looking more at the transfers & less at the young guys — because I still see Ward, Williams, and Reed coming along. Those guys could play big roles next year. Ward kinda already is.

Part of why I’m optimistic for next season (2024 problems are rebounding & Cook bust… 2025 frontcourt should be more physical & we will have a true PG).

Hannibal is all heart. If they can just keep him from picking up stupid fouls.