re: What are your expectations for McMahon’s third season?

We will have to replace a lot in the portal (losing Wright, Baker, Dean, and Hannibal) but, assuming we don't lose anyone to the portal which isn't a given, Reed and Ward will be entering year three of development under Mac, Mike Williams will be entering year 2 after a full year of getting really good playing experience, Collins and Stewart should be back healthy, and Chest will be available after hopefully some good physical development this season. The reality is the foundation of that roster with additions from the portal is enough to make the tournament. If Mac can't make it next year, then I think its time to move on

I expect the Wade Brigade to come out of the woodwork after any loss and mysteriously disappear after every win.

I keep seeing the theory that we just need better players but that’s bypassing the real issues we’re having. For example we are a terrible defensive team fundamentally. If you watch you’ll see guys not even in proper defensive stances, you’ll see guys in the exact opposite position from where they’re supposed to be on hedges, you’ll see confusion on rotations and communication, bad angles and that’s just on one side of the ball. No matter who you bring in these things aren’t taught so you’re always going to drop too many games you should be winning even though you may have a handful of nights where you can upset someone. From a foundational basketball aspect we’re not good in most areas that produce consistent winning so we’ll always have very limited success.

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I keep seeing the theory that we just need better players but that’s bypassing the real issues we’re having. For example we are a terrible defensive team fundamentally. If you watch you’ll see guys not even in proper defensive stances, you’ll see guys in the exact opposite position from where they’re supposed to be on hedges, you’ll see confusion on rotations and communication, bad angles and that’s just on one side of the ball. No matter who you bring in these things aren’t taught so you’re always going to drop too many games you should be winning even though you may have a handful of nights where you can upset someone. From a foundational basketball aspect we’re not good in most areas that produce consistent winning so we’ll always have very limited success.

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We were also terrible on defense for 4 years under Wade and then in year 5 we were defensive stalwarts. Just because one group of guys doesn't buy into playing defense doesn't mean the coach isn't capable of or trying to teach it.

If there is one area that I think CMM definitely excels its in player development. I think he can teach the guys to be better on defense. I just think this years team wasn't built for it, especially in the paint.

We were but we were rotating through defensive philosophies at that time and none were nearly as bad as we are now. We went from a straight man principled team to a NBA style zone team, which was that terrible year and a half on D, to finally settling on the style we played in 21-22 which was great. What we’re doing now is the same thing we did last season and if you’re not going to change after that disaster plus this years poor play on that end it doesn’t look like he will. Maybe you’re right and he does change it but again its not really a schematic issue it’s a fundamental problem that applies to any style you play.

Johnny mf Jones made the tournament in year 3, if McMahon cannot accomplish this then he needs to go, and I say this as someone who likes the guy and hopes he does well.

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none were nearly as bad as we are now.

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Thats not true at all, just recency bias. The year we had Smart, Days, Cam Thomas, and Trendon Watford as our best 4 we were putrid on defense. Comically bad. we made up for it by being exceptional on offense.

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We went from a straight man principled team to a NBA style zone team, which was that terrible year and a half on D, to finally settling on the style we played in 21-22 which was great.

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The players we had in '21-22 were just as much, if not more of a factor to the defensive turnaround as the scheme. Eason, Gaines, Penson, and Mwani were all dogs on defense.

It's difficult to set record expectations without first seeing the roster, one that is likely to have 6-7 new players, as well as the schedule. But going into next season McMahon and Mike White (Georgia) will be one of only two coaches of the 6 new SEC coaches hired ahead of the 22-23 season to not yet make the NCAA Tournament. The point is that "rebuilding" has never been easier. So if we are sitting here next year at this time with LSU in the same or worse position than they are now it will absolutely be time to ask if this is the best the program can get to under McMahon? If so, then there would be no reason to waste another year. LSU did that with Johnson when it was clear the program was going nowhere, and again with Jones after the "Simmons" year. All it got them was an unnecessary delay in trying to improve.

Expectations ahead of last year were the lowest they had been in 6 years...and McMahon failed to even come close to meeting those low expectations. That lost him all benefit of the doubt. The team's performance in SEC play has gained some of that benefit back (though not all). LSU should go into the offseason with much more momentum and positivity than they did going into last offseason. He now has to capitalize on that as best he can. So even though that time already should have passed, the time for the constant excuses justifying poor to mediocre play will be completely OVER.

According to Scotty it’s year 2 next year. Last year was year 0.

I’d like to see us make the big dance in year 2 or 3 depending on how we like to count.