Joe Lunardi is one of the few bigtime college basketball analysts giving the Tigers any respect. He has LSU as one of the five most under-rated teams in Division 1 and has us currently projected as a four seed in the East Region (playing at Denver? WTF?) against #13 Virginia Commonwealth, who currently leads the CAA (Colonial Athletic Ass'n.) Yes, we are in a region with undefeated St. Joseph's, but I have seen St. Joes play and they do not intimidate me. They are beatable. If I could choose the Number 1 seed we had to be in a region with, I'd go with Stanford. Maybe Mississippi State. We'll find out soon enough whether we have what it takes to beat the Dawgs. Good quote: "How is it possible that LSU did not get a single vote in last week's coach's poll? Reason No. 813 why college basketball polls are ridiculous."
Indeed, local teams are doing very well. For example, I think SLU or another LA school will get that Southland title. Also, ULL and UNO are the top 2 teams in the Sun Belt with a great chance to face off for the league title. Southern is a threat in the wide-open SWAC. Even Centenary, who only lost to LSU by 3 points, is a legitimate contender for the Horizon title.
