LSU Basketball 2018 Potential is Real

We comin

C: Bigby-Williams; Kiir
PF: Reid; E. Williams; Days; Sims
SF: Sampson; Alexander; Rachal
SG: Mays; Edwards
PG: Waters; Smart

My lineup to start the season. Lots of experience with the 1 and done added flavor in Reid. Smart, Emmitt Williams, Days will all play a great deal of minutes among the freshman. Smart probably 25 or so a game, then 20-25 among E. Williams and Days.

Think you see Reid go to the 5 to get E. Williams and Days in at the 4 at times.

They will be preseason top 25 next year. The rest of this year will determine exactly how high.

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Not to get overly ambitious, but there is enough talent here to truly contend for a deep run in the tourny.

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It's never fair or easy to predict a deep tournament run, but there should be a good enough mix of talent/experience to seriously contend for the SEC Title. I'll never predict a deep tourney run because one bad game can knock you out, but if LSU isn't playing at least in the second week of the NCAAT it would be a disappointment.

LSU should combine an experienced backcourt (always a big factor in March) with and incredibly athletic, albeit young, frontcourt. If LSU can sign Williams then they would have two super athletic guys who should be monsters protecting the rim and rebounding (Bigby-Williams and E. Williams); a potential big time front court scorer in Reid and a very versatile swingman in Days to add to what should be a savvy backcourt that includes a potential returning 1st team all SEC player (Waters). Then you throw in two long and athletic guards in Sampson and Smart with a 3 point sniper in Edwards and a lock down defender in Rachal.

It should be a terrific internal battle just to get minutes next season, which is good. It will definitely be the most talented group since the Simmons team and could be the most talented 1-13 group in decades (05-06 had a great starting 5, but dropped of after that)

The question will be can Wade manage the egos and keep everyone happy

I would that the only weakness of the team would be floor spacing. The only proven shooters from behind the three point line will be Waters, Edwards, and Sampson. The need for spacing will propel to get Edwards more playing time then he otherwise would considering that others in the rotation posses greater overall talent.

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LSU should combine an experienced backcourt (always a big factor in March)

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This cant be repeated enough. Having Waters, Mays, Sampson and Edwards will bring a lot of experience come tournament time. Smart being a spark plug young guy as well.

Bigby-Williams too will be such a huge addition for us. A strong rebounder and rim protector is something we seriously lack this year. He doesn't even need to provide any offense for us, just be that defensive stalwart and work hard on the offensive glass.

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Just odd to me that we are in contention for his services and definitely speaks to Wades tremendous recruiting ability. We have quite the log jam of talent at the power forward position. I would imagine in the scenario that he comes Reid would slide to more minutes at center just not so sure how thrilled he would be at that move.

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They all have different skill-sets. KBW is similar to a Tyrus Thomas type player. His offensive game isn't very refined but his athleticsim and size should make him a monster on defense and the glass. Williams is a shorter version of that, but he could also step out and guard the wing a bit. Nonethless, both should be killing people on the glass. Unlike the other two, Days is a very skilled offensive player who can score from anywhere. He doesn't have off the charts athleticism, but he can fill it up quickly. Reid is special. A big body who is just as comfortable handling the the basketball outside as he his playing inside. He probably won't be the best defender, but he can create some big mis-matches on offense with his skill.

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Again I really hope we hold on to Alexander and Rachal.

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I have not seen enough of Alexander to offer a valid opinion, but what I've seen of Rachal I think not holding on to him would hurt. He is a player with tremendous athletic ability and huge upside.

Of course I have not heard anything about him being upset or dissatisfied.....have you?

I think waters ends up going pro. His buzz will be high by the end of the year, and all this new talent would hurt his numbers next year.

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floor spacing. The only proven shooters from behind the three point line will be Waters, Edwards, and Sampson

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days' highlight videos show him hitting a lot of outside shots quite comfortably