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November 2nd,
2006
By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Broadcast Basketball
LSU Tigers
Overall Rank:
#9
Conference
Rank:
#2 SEC
2005-06:
27-9, 14-2, 1st SEC West
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 LSU has lost two
fan favorites from its Final Four team, but all the pieces are
in Baton Rogue for another deep run in March. It was the
Tigers, not Florida, which had the best record in the SEC at
14-2. Coach John Brady returns a dynamic and experienced team,
but one that has two major holes to fill.
Who’s Out:
Tyrus
Thomas left early for the NBA after averaging 12.3 points and
9.2 rebounds. The freakishly athletic forward played a big part
in getting the Tigers to the Final Four, but there are decent
options ready to take over his production. Darrel Mitchell
averaged 16.8 points and a team high 4.4 assits as a senior.
Who’s In:
If it wasn’t
for the return of Tack Minor, the loss of Mitchell would be
crippling to LSU. Minor was suspended for the fall semester
last year and after three games of working his way back into the
system, the point guard was injured and out for the year. As a
sophomore in 2004-2005, Minor started all 30 games averaging
10.8 points and 4.6 assists. Terry Martin started eight games
for Texas Tech as a freshman last year before opting to transfer
to LSU. The 6-6 wing is a decent outside shooter and will
provide some more depth once he is eligible at the semester
break. Fellow transfer Dameon Mason is eligible to play
immediately and will battle for those minutes on the wing. The
6-5 Marquette transfer averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as
a sophomore for the Golden Eagles and is talented enough to earn
a starting gig for the Tigers. Redshirt freshman Alex Farrer
will bolster the depth on the wing even more.
Who to Watch:
Glen
‘Big Baby’ Davis is the most recognizable player at LSU since
Shaq. After averaging 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds, the
comparisons don’t end there either. Davis decided to return for
another year of fun in Baton Rogue and hopes to lead the team
back to a Final Four. Even with the absence of Thomas, the
frontcourt is a dynamic group. Tasmin Mitchell started all 36
games as a freshman and looked as poised as a senior. Darnell
Lazare is a senior and he really stepped up his game last year.
With another year of improvement, Lazare could be a sleeper.
However, with Mitchell and Davis joining him in the frontcourt,
Lazare still won’t get the credit he deserves. And Magnum Rolle
can steal some of that thunder too. Rolle gave the Tigers
valuable minutes off the bench en route to the Final Four and
the 6-10 shot blocker should play a bigger role this year.
Final
Projection:
Garrett Temple
started 35 games as the two guard, but averaged 5.1 point per
contest. His strength is in his defense and his versatility to
play the point. Coach Brady didn’t need Temple to score last
year, and won’t need him to score this year. Ben Voogd saw
limited minutes as a freshman, but will get the chance to earn
more minutes this season. The backcourt depth, and probably the
starters, will come from the newcomers. Martin and Mason are
experienced, proven options and even Farrer has a year in the
system. This is an experienced team that has one senior on the
roster and no scholarship true freshman. The big question is
whether or not Minor can step back into the floor leader role,
but he has done it before.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Tack Minor,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Dameon Mason,
Junior, Guard, 11.9 points per game (Marquette)
Tasmin Mitchell,
Sophomore, Forward, 11.4 points per game
Darnell Lazare,
Senior, Forward, 6.7 points per game
Glen Davis,
Junior, Forward, 18.6 points per game
Also:
Complete
SEC Preview & Ranking
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