Well, I can't lie and say that to some extent I'm not glad to see this season get over with. To be objective, it was a year that did not meet my expectations, but perhaps my expectations were a little high. Inexperience, injuries and lack of depth hurt this team for sure, and shows you the fine line between good teams and bad ones, even with good coaching. The silver lining is though, despite all of this, there WAS improvement by the end of the year, better play from younger players, and Trent seemingly finding his way with the zone defense. That said, all of it can only take you so far when as a team LSU shot 40% range from the field (sub 30% from 3 land). Lack of an offensive go to (especiallly when Tas' is double/triple teamed) and the resulting inconsistency that resulted, doomed certain games when two players were not scoring. (See the Advocate's take: )

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/87546982.html?showAll=y&c=y
2theadvocate.com | Sports | Laney: Wild swings common for LSU teams — Baton Rouge, LA

As I look forward anxiously to next season, where many of the concerns of depth and inexperience start to go away, let's wrap up this season. Interestingly SEC West wise, I am comforted a little bit with how this season went. On a macro level, I predicted Arkansas' rise in the SEC West, but misjudged on LSU and Alabama. Miss St was supposed to dominate, but hardly looked dominating. Ole Miss surprised me a little bit with their guard play (and lack of a big man), but I should have known that the combination of Warren back (fully healthy), White and others (potential NBA caliber guards) was formidable. Alabama's less than stellar play, with new coach Anthony Grant, bodes well for Tiger fans wanting to recruit in the state of Alabama. Another subpar, meaningless season from Auburn leads to a likely Lebo axing. I think we still have the class of the coaching ranks in the SEC West, and that's ultimately going to help us as we recruit in MS, AL, LA and TX. Miss St. loses Varnado, Ole Miss may lose one of its guards, Alabama presumably will be better (although they have seniors that are graduating), and Arkansas (a young team) will be better again. Auburn the team always in transition, will likely lose Lebo as the coach and be dealing with yet another coaching transition in the SEC. As we go into the NCAA tourney, the SEC West is fighting to have two teams in the dance, Miss St. and Ole Miss. LSU's goal next year is to finish in the top 2 in the SEC West. Yes, they will lose Tasmin, but they gain Malcolm White (who doesn't count as a "new" player), and they load up on depth. Yes, they'll still be young, but again, I think this season's woes were due to overall talent level and balance, injuries and depth. With kids like Dotson, Harris, Ludwig, and Warren getting another offseason, I believe the Tigers can challenge for the top half of the SEC West with alot of hard work over the off season, a healthy roster and if some of this vaunted signing class performs.

As for the future of LSU Mens basketball, the future is bright. Folks should not put too much into this season. As the Advocate points out, LSU has been in the SEC Celler, perhaps more than any other team. They've also experienced more highs than most SEC teams. The key to long term success in my mind is coaching and what that coaching says about your program. Look at what players and recruits are saying about Trent (look at what Tas, smart kids like Derenbecker, and recruits like Gathers are saying) look at what opposing coaches and basketball pundits are saying about Trent (Bruce Pearl after the LSU game). When did players/coaches say that in prior regimes? During the Dale era, you knew players loved Dale, but opposing coaches sometimes didn't fear Dale. During the Brady era, players saw Brady and Butch as an ends to a means (getting to the L) and other coaches didn't exactly worry too much. I think with Trent, the question in my mind has always been can he recruit in the SEC, but there aren't that many questions about his coaching. The 2010-11 recruiting year and what we're hearing with how his staff is starting to better penetrate the key LA high school programs, are key. Also, look at how his recruiting has very smartly penetrated key southern hotbeds... Miller--Dallas, Stringer/Courtney--Jackson, MS, Turner--Alabama. If he lands Sherrard Brantley, LSU will be entering into the key Florida JUCO market. He is squarely focused, and is improving LSU's reputation, with key schools and coaches at Riverside, St. Augustine, Country Day, Glen Oaks, Christian Life, etc. As we line up for the key class of 2012 in LA, our success with this 2010-11 class will be key in proving Trent's formula works. And if it does, kids like Ricardo Gathers and Javon Felix will be joining a team that may challenge for a much tougher to obtain SEC Championship in 2012 and beyond. :thumb:

The future is certainly bright, folks. Buy your season hoops tickets now. :geauxtige

Wow!! Great Post.. This along with Trents article in the Advocate has me ready for next year. Can't wait, should be a lot of fun.:geaux: Just one question - Aren't we full - I mean if we sign the JuCo guard won't someone have to leave? what are we allowed 13? I'm thinking maybe someone is having academic problems??

Technically, yes, i believe so. That's why the Brantley recruitment is a little surprising. No telling what is going on behind the scenes, but there's like I said "skuttlebutt" about someone leaving this offseason. Not sure how true this is, but certainly possible. The other scenario is someone stepping back and taking an academic scholarship or just paying their way. As I mentioned in the recruiting thread, the likely subjects are Bo (academic), Bass (PT and pay his way), Green (out of the rotation and wants to return to west coast?), Dotson (getting homesick?). Personally, I think some of this is overblown speculation. It's far from a done deal that Brantley is a LSU lock, b/c he's definitely looking around, and honestly, i don't think SG is a position that is a bare cupboard, because I think Dotson will improve, Spencer can slide over to play SG, and a guy like Turner could also play SG. I also don't think Trent is the kind of guy to "push out" a player, if he's getting the grades and treating his responsibilities seriously. So, let's wait and see what happens. :wink:

Sorry, late on this one... Lebo's gone.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Auburn fires Lebo after six years — Baton Rouge, LA

Very good post THL!!! I'm not a basketball fan, except in fair weather, there I said it. I didn't see a game this year, NCAA nor NBA, but I will watch the later stages of March Madness, that's cool.

I like CTJ for winning the SEC season before. Quite an accomplishment IMO. Brady just didn't leave the cupboard stocked, and we hit a vacuum pocket. We have to give CTJ another year or two to see how he implements his recruiting, as you say.

I don't hear howls for his resignation, so I can only think others believe as I do.

Wait till next year. :geaux:

Wait till next year. :geaux:[/QUOTE]

Spoken like a true Saint's fan, but in this case, I really think we'll see much quicker results.

Also, thanks so much to TGer'nLHornLand for ALL of your posts --- much appreciated!

yep future is bright (just not sure how bright), but i have tempered optimism for next season. this team needed at least one more scorer to be competitive in the sec. with the loss of tas, you now have to find two. really banking on derenbecker or stringer in the Fr yr. 2011-12 is the big yr if a couple of the guards pan out.

I saw Derndecker play two games in the state tournament & he can shoot & handle the ball. He even brought the ball up against Christian Life. I think he will play as a freshman & will be a scorer if he is on the court. Course, Lower Class High School to SEC competition is a very large jump... May take him a few games to catch up.

Tiger well put overall. I agree with the majority of what you said. However what did you expect our record to be overall and in the sec. I thought preseason 9/6 and 8/8 in conference then Alex went down 3 days before the season. I changed to 9/6 and 6/8 in conference. I really did believe that this would be a NIT year. Owell **** happens and next year will be a 360 degree turnaround. I cant wait. GEAU TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes its 13 and we are totally full for next year whick will be nice. What juco guard you talking about??