Will Wade - Reflecting on 2+ Years of Bringing Back LSU Basketball

quote:

---

make an NCAA tournament in back-to-back years for the first time in 26 YEARS!

---

hard to believe

quote:

---

I was sold on him during his introductory presser. I was double sold on him when he called that timeout against ULL.

---

I was truly sold on him when he pulled his dick out on Alleva resulting in him getting axed.

quote:

---

Because it’s not accurate. We made the tourney in 04-05 and then the final four the following year.

---

Yep, my fault. I somehow missed '05 when I was looking it up. Thought 26 years seemed a bit much. I've corrected it. Thanks.

quote:

---

Still a pretty long time

---

Very true.

It's a new day for LSU hoops, no matter how you slice it

This team will be fun to watch. But much like Manieri’s no LHP team this past year, there is a major roster flaw with the lack of big men. This team is going to have to shoot exponentially better then they did last year from 3. Smart will have to be willing to make that extra pass rather than force a bad shot. Going to be a lot of running

quote:

---

But much like Manieri’s no LHP team this past year, there is a major roster flaw with the lack of big men.

---

thanks Alleva

quote:

---

I was double sold on him when he called that timeout against ULL.

---

Brain fart. Could you please remind me what this is in reference to?

quote:

---

This team will be fun to watch. But much like Manieri’s no LHP team this past year, there is a major roster flaw with the lack of big men. This team is going to have to shoot exponentially better then they did last year from 3. Smart will have to be willing to make that extra pass rather than force a bad shot. Going to be a lot of running

---

No doubt this team isn't as "complete" as last year's group. Wade has acknowledged it, but their ways to win games are more limited than last season. I worry where that may show up in on the road. LSU was a remarkable 9-1 in true road games last season. A big reason is that they didn't HAVE to shoot well from outside because they were so good on the offensive glass. While Williams, Days and probably Watford are good rebounders, I don't think they have have the same impact as Reid and KBW did last season. Still, I think this team will have more than enough offensive firepower to stay in any game.

It's what they do (or don't do) on the other side of the ball that will determine how good this team is. Wade's teams have been much better than Jones' teams on the defensive end (though that's not a monumental accomplishment), but they still haven't been great by any stretch. We've seen "undersized" teams still be able to defend. VCU is great in that dept. Some of the old Cincinnati teams could as well. This LSU team is athletic enough to be solid on defense (meaning top 35 in efficiency) if they truly make it an emphasis. If so, this group could be a tough out. If not, then many of those close games that went LSU's way last season may flip to an "L" this season.

quote:

---

But much like Manieri’s no LHP team this past year, there is a major roster flaw with the lack of big men.

---

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison here. The whole "we don't have any lefties" thing was completely overblown. And I do not genuinely believe that any fan can point to a single game that was lost specifically b/c of not having any left handed pitchers on the roster.

But I don't want to turn this into a baseball or Mainieri bashing thread; so I'll just say that the height thing is something that will definitely have an impact on game planning this year and very well could cost us some games, especially when we are not shooting well. But it is an area that can be overcome, just as other championship and Final 4 teams have done it before.

quote:

---

nd probably Watford are good rebounders,

---

Definitely should be. He set the Alabama high school state record for career rebounding; so that it is a positive indication.

quote:

---

This LSU team is athletic enough to be solid on defense (meaning top 35 in efficiency) if they truly make it an emphasis. If so, this group could be a tough out. If not, then many of those close games that went LSU's way last season may flip to an "L" this season.

---

Interesting tidbit on something I read from Wade's interview with media yesterday is that he said he has been watching some of the LSU women's team practices to pick up on some defensive techniques and strategy. To me that is an awesome statement from a man/coach who is big enough to admit that he can learn something new from anyone or anywhere. And say what you want about Fargas as a coach, but her teams play GREAT DEFENSE. That is one thing her teams consistently do, despite talent gaps.

Wade has also said that this year's team is the best he has had at LSU in terms of playing team defense based on what he has seen in practices and pre-season games. They seem to all be more on the same page, and the level of quickness and athleticism of all the players allows them to remain constantly active with their hands and feet.