The Sports Bank’s college basketball season previews undergo a face lift this season. Rather than counting down the top 111 teams in 111 days, we will go conference-by-conference. I’ve already counted down the Pac-12 and Big 12 now we turn our attention to the SEC.
In losing four of their top six scorers from a year ago, the LSU Tigers have plenty of key pieces to replace as they look for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in six years.
LSU TIGERS
Last season: T-6th, 9-9 in SEC, 20-14 overall
Projected SEC Finish: 7th
Projected Depth Chart
C: Elliott Robinson (Fr)/John Odo (Sr)/Darcy Malone (So)
PF: Jordan Mickey (So)/Brian Bridgewater (So)/Aaron Epps (Fr)
F: Jarrell Martin (So)
SG: Keith Hornsby (Jr)/Tim Quarterman (So)
PG: Josh Gray (Jr)/Jaylen Patterson (Fr)
Gone: C-Johnny O’Bryant, G-Andre Stringer, SG-Shavon Coleman, PG-Anthony Hickey (transfer-Oklahoma State), SG-Malik Morgan (transfer-Tulane), SF-Shane Hammink (transfer-Valparaiso)
2014-2015 Outlook:
Despite losing Johnny O’Bryant early to the NBA Draft, LSU has a pair of extremely talented frontcourt players returning in Jarrell Martin and Jordan Mickey. Though Martin was the more heralded recruit coming out of high school as a McDonald’s All-American, Mickey actually made a bigger impact last year. Mickey is insanely athletic at the rim and a real threat as a shot blocker and rebounder. Martin’s offensive game is more well-rounded and don’t be surprised if he puts together a breakout sophomore season.
There will be a competition to replace O’Bryant in the middle but freshman Elliott Robinson should hold the edge. The 7-1, 270 pounder is a rim protector who combined with Mickey, should give LSU one of the best interior defenses in the country. Seldom-used a year ago, John Odo and Darcy Malone compete for playing time off the bench along with undersized but physcial four man Brian Bridgewater who sat out last season and freshman Aaron Epps.
The graduation of Andre Stringer and Shavon Coleman, and transfer of Anthony Hickey ushers in a brand new backcourt look. JUCO transfer Josh Gray figures to take over the reins at point guard. The former Texas Tech Red Raider averaged 34.7 points per game in his lone season at Odessa College and brings needed scoring punch to the floor. The same can be said of UNC-Asheville transfer, Keith Hornsby who is a sniper from distance.
Sophomore Tim Quarterman is an x-factor for the Tigers this season. The former top 100 recruit can play either guard position and looks to rebound from a rather underwhelming freshman campaign. Jaylen Robinson should factor into the equation as well though in a minor role.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/18 vs. Texas Tech
11/21 vs. Old Dominion (Paradise Jam)
11/22 vs. Weber State/Illinois State (Paradise Jam)
11/24 vs. Clemson/Gardner Webb/Seton Hall/Nevada (Paradise Jam)
12/2 vs. UMass
12/4 at West Virginia (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
12/18 at UAB
12/22 vs. Charleston
12/29 vs. Southern Miss
OTHER SEC PREVIEWS:
BIG 12 PREVIEWS:
#1 KANSAS JAYHAWKS
#2 TEXAS LONGHORNS
PAC-12 PREVIEWS:
#1 ARIZONA WILDCATS
#4 UCLA BRUINS
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.