2008 LSU Tigers Hoops Preview

When mid-October rolls around in Baton Rouge, there will be a sense of renewal and anticipation for the LSU basketball fan base. The man at the core of those feelings can relate, because he’s equally eager to see where the Tigers are headed.

New LSU coach Trent Johnson won’t get his first full-fledged hands-on look at the Tigers until practice officially begins. He has gotten to know his veteran team through meetings and limited individual workouts since he arrived in April and has pored over video from the 2007-08 season to familiarize himself with the players. But until the real work begins, Johnson says he won’t be ready to pinpoint the makeup of a team that will take the floor this season trying to reverse a two-season slide that cost former coach John Brady his job.

“We have a long way to go in terms of the implementation of my beliefs — which will be our beliefs — and make sure there is an emphasis on we instead of me,” says the former Stanford head coach. “From a basketball philosophy standpoint, we’ll focus on defending, rebounding, taking care of the ball and playing with a sense of urgency.”

Despite last year’s struggles — the Tigers tumbled to 13–18 (6–10 SEC) — LSU is not lacking in talent. Nine veterans return, bolstered by five seniors and the healthy return of 6'7" junior forward Tasmin Mitchell.

Frontcourt

LSU’s frontcourt took a hit when Anthony Randolph bolted after one season in Baton Rouge, but Johnson still has some excellent weapons at his disposal.

Mitchell’s re-emergence as an All-SEC-caliber player might be the most important factor in LSU’s season. He started the first 71 games of his career before an ankle stress fracture ended his 2007-08 season after three games. Besides Mitchell’s raw statistics — he averaged 14.5 points and 5.9 rebounds as a sophomore — his absence also robbed LSU of its most vocal, hard-nosed leader. After two surgeries and a frustrating season of sitting and watching, Mitchell is revved up for his return.

“I’m healthy and ready to go,” he says. “Sitting out was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but it made me appreciate the chance to come back.”

Senior Chris Johnson, a rangy 6'11", 205-pound center, blossomed into a solid defender and rebounder during an injury-interrupted junior season, and also showed flashes of being a reliable scoring threat. He produced 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in 25 games and blocked 66 shots.  

Senior Quintin Thornton and sophomore Garrett Green should serve as the top big men off the bench. Thornton is unspectacular offensively, but he proved capable of holding his own as a defender and rebounder last season. Green was very raw last year, but he is 6'10" and athletic and will be counted on to make a bigger impact.

The rest of the frontcourt depth will be supplied by freshmen Delwan Graham and Storm Warren at small forward and Dennis Harris in the middle.

Backcourt

The Tigers have plenty of experience at the guard position but lack serious firepower other than senior Marcus Thornton.

A junior college transfer last season, Thornton pumped in 19.6 points per game (second in the SEC), buoyed by 90 3-pointers. He shouldn’t have to carry as much of the scoring load in Johnson’s system, but he is capable of major explosions — he had two games with 38 points last season and another with 36 — if needed.

Senior Garrett Temple, a defensive specialist, has started since his freshman year and will play a major role this season. With Temple likely to move away from the point guard job, those responsibilities would fall on the shoulders of sophomore Bo Spencer and freshman Chris Bass.

Senior Terry Martin and junior Alex Farrer will both play backup roles in the backcourt. Martin has been a scoring threat at times, with 95 career 3-pointers.

Final Analysis

Johnson has his work cut out, but he has a veteran team that should be receptive to change after the program’s first losing season since 2000-01. If LSU’s players embrace Johnson’s style and develop the team chemistry that never emerged last season, the Tigers have a chance to compete in the SEC West Division and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2006 Final Four run.