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We are 22 days away from college basketball.
LSU begins its season with what I would argue aren’t lofty expectations, but certainly above average expectations.
Head coach Will Wade has shrouded the program in NCAA recruiting violations, which has allowed the Tigers to play with uncertainty about their future. What Will Wade has brought to the program in a positive light has been allowing LSU to fly under the radar of most major media outlets (because of the NCAA punishments yet to be endured) as well as continuing to load the roster with talent.
LSU managed to pick up two of the most coveted transfers in the offseason in Xavier Pinson and Adam Miller. Even with the loss of Cam Thomas to the NBA, guard play will be no issue for LSU. Senior forward Darius Days has also made a return.
CBS Sports has been slowly releasing their preseason rankings for every single Division I basketball team (1-358), and on Thursday, they released their top 68 teams. LSU came in at No. 43. Six SEC teams were ranked higher than the Tigers (Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida.)
Here is what Matt Norlander had to say about LSU.
There remains ongoing fascination/disgust/exhaustion with Will Wade managing to not be fired for as long as he has. He’s still here. We don’t know when the NCAA angle on that will be resolved. Know this: LSU’s 39 SEC wins in the past three years are most in the conference. Wade, for all his detractors and cynics, has delivered in the win column. (Which further angers his detractors and cynics.)
As for the on-court product, no pablum here, as LSU as usual is offering up a roster with talent spread about. Missouri transfer Xavier Pinson and Illinois transfer Adam Miller are looking to team up and help returnee Darius Days keep LSU the kind of SEC foil it’s always been under Wade. Personally, I’m intrigued by freshman Efton Reid, a former five-star prospect who’ll play center.
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