Pilchard
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Before an abbreviated preview of LSU, wanted to respond to the critique of Forbes for playing Marsh, Whitt and McCray together in the first half (when WF was up by 18+). This is a two day tournament. The goal is to win the tournament. Both of yesterday's games went OT. WF had by far the biggest lead of any of the 4 teams in the tourney. No player on Oregon State or LSU played as many minutes as LaRavia and Williamson (41), Also, despite having the biggest lead, Oregon State and LSU played more bench minutes total than WF. Also, Sy is sick with the stomach bug. We shall see if there's an impact on the starters from playing so many minutes last night. On to the Tigers:
Coach: Will Wade. He is a cheater.
2021-22 Season: LSU is 6-0 #20 in KP. Other than Duke, LSU is highest rated team on WF's schedule (LSU is the 5th rated team in the SEC, just another example of how far the ACC has slipped). Under Wade, LSU has been elite offensively, but weak defensively. In 2020, LSU was rated #4 on offense, but #179 on defense. In 2021, LSU was #5 on offense, and #124 defensively. Heading in this season, the Tigers focus was to improve defensively, and through the early part of their schedule, they have, as the Bayou Bengals rate #24 on defense in 2022 (#27 on offense). LSU has been strong across the board on defense ranking #7 in TO rate, #3 in block % and #16 in effective FG%. On offense, the Tigers have been good (top 77) in all offensive metrics except 3 PT FG% (34.6% - #131). LSU has played two top 100 teams beating #66 Belmont by 30 and #89 Penn State in OT last night. Like WF, LSU played their first 5 games at home, and last night's neutral court contest was their first game away from home. LSU likes to play up tempo: #33 in duration of offensive possessions.
The lineup:
Starters (the Tigers have used the same starting lineup for all 6 games):
G 6-2 Sr. Xavier Pinson: Mizzou transfer; streaky player; shooting 27% from 3s on the year; scored 36 in a game for Missouri last season; team leader in assists; 15 points 3 assists last night
G 6-5 Fr. Brandon Murray: 4 star recruit, IMG Academy; 44% from 3; 2nd highest rated offensive player for LSU to start the season; leads team in minutes as a true frosh
G/F 6-5 So. Mwani Wilkinson: good defender; leads team in steals; scored in double figures only twice in his career
F 6-7 Sr. Darius Days: Strong 245 pounds; 3 year starter; team leader in 3s (48%); 2nd in boards; already has a 30 point and 26 point game this season
F/C 6-11 Fr. Efton Reid: 5 star recruit; also played at IMG; team leader in FG%; not a three point threat (1 three on the year)
Bench:
G 6-2 So. Eric Gaines: First player off the bench; much improved from last year; double figures in 3 of the Tigers' first 6 games
C 6-8 So. Tari Eason: Cincy transfer: first in boards; 2nd points; will shoot from 3, but has yet to find his stroke (29%); led team in scoring last night against PSU with 18
F 6-8 Fr. Alex Fudge: redshirt frosh; active defender and shot blocker; no threat from 3
Projection: KP projects a 76-68 Tigers' win. Don't think the game will be as high scoring as projected as both teams are coming off OT slogs. LSU has lots of talent, and if they are hitting on all cylinders (like the 30 point win over solid Belmont), the Deacs could be in trouble. OTOH, WF has a big edge in experience, and the Deacs are the tallest team that LSU has played to date. Got to think that WF will be focused on defending the paint after last night's 2nd half when the Beavers scored at will inside. Worried that the Deacs could be fatigued after last night's win, but LSU is in the same spot and only 8 players saw the court for LSU yesterday. Would like to have Sy back. Without him, this seems like a bad matchup for Marsh. Great opportunity for WF.
Coach: Will Wade. He is a cheater.
2021-22 Season: LSU is 6-0 #20 in KP. Other than Duke, LSU is highest rated team on WF's schedule (LSU is the 5th rated team in the SEC, just another example of how far the ACC has slipped). Under Wade, LSU has been elite offensively, but weak defensively. In 2020, LSU was rated #4 on offense, but #179 on defense. In 2021, LSU was #5 on offense, and #124 defensively. Heading in this season, the Tigers focus was to improve defensively, and through the early part of their schedule, they have, as the Bayou Bengals rate #24 on defense in 2022 (#27 on offense). LSU has been strong across the board on defense ranking #7 in TO rate, #3 in block % and #16 in effective FG%. On offense, the Tigers have been good (top 77) in all offensive metrics except 3 PT FG% (34.6% - #131). LSU has played two top 100 teams beating #66 Belmont by 30 and #89 Penn State in OT last night. Like WF, LSU played their first 5 games at home, and last night's neutral court contest was their first game away from home. LSU likes to play up tempo: #33 in duration of offensive possessions.
The lineup:
Starters (the Tigers have used the same starting lineup for all 6 games):
G 6-2 Sr. Xavier Pinson: Mizzou transfer; streaky player; shooting 27% from 3s on the year; scored 36 in a game for Missouri last season; team leader in assists; 15 points 3 assists last night
G 6-5 Fr. Brandon Murray: 4 star recruit, IMG Academy; 44% from 3; 2nd highest rated offensive player for LSU to start the season; leads team in minutes as a true frosh
G/F 6-5 So. Mwani Wilkinson: good defender; leads team in steals; scored in double figures only twice in his career
F 6-7 Sr. Darius Days: Strong 245 pounds; 3 year starter; team leader in 3s (48%); 2nd in boards; already has a 30 point and 26 point game this season
F/C 6-11 Fr. Efton Reid: 5 star recruit; also played at IMG; team leader in FG%; not a three point threat (1 three on the year)
Bench:
G 6-2 So. Eric Gaines: First player off the bench; much improved from last year; double figures in 3 of the Tigers' first 6 games
C 6-8 So. Tari Eason: Cincy transfer: first in boards; 2nd points; will shoot from 3, but has yet to find his stroke (29%); led team in scoring last night against PSU with 18
F 6-8 Fr. Alex Fudge: redshirt frosh; active defender and shot blocker; no threat from 3
Projection: KP projects a 76-68 Tigers' win. Don't think the game will be as high scoring as projected as both teams are coming off OT slogs. LSU has lots of talent, and if they are hitting on all cylinders (like the 30 point win over solid Belmont), the Deacs could be in trouble. OTOH, WF has a big edge in experience, and the Deacs are the tallest team that LSU has played to date. Got to think that WF will be focused on defending the paint after last night's 2nd half when the Beavers scored at will inside. Worried that the Deacs could be fatigued after last night's win, but LSU is in the same spot and only 8 players saw the court for LSU yesterday. Would like to have Sy back. Without him, this seems like a bad matchup for Marsh. Great opportunity for WF.
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