LSU Tigers

2023-24 Result: 17-16 (9-9 SEC), NIT Appearance

LSU saw three double digit scorers leave after last season in Jalen Cook, Will Baker, and Jordan Wright. Head Coach Matt McMahon went out and replaced the scoring with Jordan Sears, a Tennessee Martin transfer, Cam Carter, a Kansas State transfer, and Dji Bailey from Richmond. He also brought in four 4-star recruits in Vyctorious Miller, Curtis Givens, Robert Miller III, and Corey Chest. That is a great high school class given the state that LSU basketball has been in since the departure of Will Wade. LSU is hopeful that these transfers and 4-stars can contribute to what was a struggling roster in 2023-24.

LSU’s defense was not good last season, finishing 272nd in ppg allowed. With the moves they made this offseason, it is doubtful that much will change. They lost some of their size in Will Baker. They still have Derek Fountain and Jalen Reed returning in the frontcourt, but neither is a strong rim protector. Sears and Carter will be heavily relied on to contain the strong guards in the SEC, which isn’t exactly their strong suit either. The best perimeter defender is Dji Bailey, who was in the top 5 in the A-10 in steals and led a top 35 defense in the country last season. LSU will need to rally together and play team defense if they are going to improve on last season’s numbers. The high school recruits could help in this area, but it is more likely, at least for the 2024-25 campaign, that LSU’s defense is near the bottom of the SEC again.

The LSU offense will be led by their guard combo of Jordan Sears and Cam Carter, both newcomers to Baton Rouge this year. Sears averaged 21.6 and Carter 14.6 in 2023-24, so they will be heavily relied upon this season. The hope is that some of the 4-star freshmen can contribute on the offensive end right away, particularly Vyctorious Miller, who comes by way of AZ Compass, one of the top high school teams in the nation. LSU will boast plenty of high percentage three-point shooters, with four guys in the rotation shooting over 37% last season. Miller shot the three at 41.4% on the EYBL circuit this spring, so he is more than capable as well. Tyrell Ward shot the three at 41.3% last season on over 4 attempts per game, so he will fit in nicely alongside the two guards. The interior offensive needs to see some improvement with Jalen Reed and Derek Fountain for them to stand a chance against the top teams in the SEC.

LSU finished in the middle of the pack last year, at 9-9 in the SEC. Expect more of the same this year, unless their freshmen recruits surprise people and elevate this team’s game to the next level. McMahon has done good things bringing in the freshman class, but it is unlikely that this team is there quite yet. They will compete in a lot of games, but they will likely miss the tournament again and finish as an early exit in the SEC tournament due to their defensive woes. 

Key Additions

Cam Carter (Kansas State)

Jordan Sears (Tennessee Martin)

Dji Bailey (Richmond)

Vyctorious Miller

Curtis Givens

Robert Miller III