LSU basketball team very similar to 2006 Florida national champs

This LSU team is very similar to the 2006 Florida national championship team. Both teams only about 8 deep. Both teams featured strong front lines with productive depth. Florida had Al Horford and Joakim Noah and also started one more big in Corey Brewer. LSU is very similar with Kavell, Naz and Marlon Taylor. Florida was a little taller but Taylor's leaping ability makes it a wash. Florid had Walter Hodge, Adrian Moss and Chris Richard as front court reserves. The Tigers backups Emmitt Williams and Darius Days are more productive than the Gator trio.

LSU matches them in the backcourt with one major exception. Florida's shooting guard Lee Humphrey was a phenomenal 3 point shooter. LSU has not had that type of consistency but Waters and Mayes have been big in key situations.

Florid had no sixth man anywhere near the level of Javonte Smart who will be the X factor in post season. He seems to have taken that next step and if he continues to play at that level this team can go a long way.

The biggest concern is having four freshmen playing such prominent roles when the lights get brighter. Florida started four sophomores and a junior with experience. They beat UCLA handily after the Bruins knocked off Big Baby and the Tigers in the semifinals. Had the Tigers won their semifinal game I believe they may have beaten the Gators if Garret Temple stuffed Lee Humphrey like he did J J Reddick of Duke.

Incredibly after winning the title all five returned and Florida claimed a repeat national title in 2007. Lets win that first one and worry about who returns later.

Two years ago I was an advocate of LSU trying to lure Billy Donovan back to college basketball. There are strong indications we may have a young Billy D leading the emerging Tiger program.