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LSU played an exhibition NAIA Xavier (LA) last night. Not much to take from such a mismatch, it was 42-11 at halftime and the final score was 80-45, so this is mainly for Yawk's benefit. Anyway, here are my thoughts...
- Xavier is apparently nicknamed the GOLDRUSH - couldn't stop laughing every time the announcers said it.
- Andre Stringer hit 6-11 from 3-point land and is clearly the guy who will fill the primary sniper role. The team is still looking for another reliable shooter to emerge since the 5'9 Stringer has trouble getting his shot off vs. length and/or aggressive close outs. As a team, LSU shot 13-27 from deep.
- If there's one glaring weakness, it's a familiar one to last season. This team just can't shoot free throws for whatever reason. They made just 9-19, which means they shot worse (47%) from the free throw line than they did on 3-pointers (48%).
- The front court is incredibly long and athletic. JOB didn't do much in limited action -- 9 points and 11 boards in just 18 minutes -- but he's the known constant of this team. What was more intriguing was the play of his freshman front court mates. Jarrell Martin was a bit out of control at times and blew some easy transition buckets, but the athletcism jumps out at you when you see him run the floor. He even brought the ball up a few times on fast breaks, displaying the kind of versatility we haven't seen since Anthony Randolph. Jordan Mickey was the star of the night, he finished with 8 blocks while adding 12 points and 6 boards. John Odo, another freshman, didn't register a point but secured 11 rebounds in 15 minutes. Guess he's the Bismack Biyombo of the squad.
- Team could be really good defensively. In addition to Mickey's 8 blocks, Anthony Hickey had 5 steals and the GODLRUSH was held to 17-68 from the floor and just 1-15 from range. Also highly possible that Xavier is just poop.
- Another freshman, 6'6 point guard Tim Quarterman, started the game and should add a nice compliment to the hyperactivity of Hickey. When Quarterman is in the game alongside Malik Morgan in the backcourt, LSU can roll out a lineup that goes 6'6-6'4-6'8-6'9-6'9. Or, LSU can go small with Hickey and Stringer and press like their hair is on fire.
Conclusion:
The competition was obviously several steps below what UM ASS will provide, but it was clear when using the #eyetest that Johnny Jones has a lot of options at his disposal. There are 7-8 legit SEC players in the rotation and the components will allow a multitude of different looks.
- Xavier is apparently nicknamed the GOLDRUSH - couldn't stop laughing every time the announcers said it.
- Andre Stringer hit 6-11 from 3-point land and is clearly the guy who will fill the primary sniper role. The team is still looking for another reliable shooter to emerge since the 5'9 Stringer has trouble getting his shot off vs. length and/or aggressive close outs. As a team, LSU shot 13-27 from deep.
- If there's one glaring weakness, it's a familiar one to last season. This team just can't shoot free throws for whatever reason. They made just 9-19, which means they shot worse (47%) from the free throw line than they did on 3-pointers (48%).
- The front court is incredibly long and athletic. JOB didn't do much in limited action -- 9 points and 11 boards in just 18 minutes -- but he's the known constant of this team. What was more intriguing was the play of his freshman front court mates. Jarrell Martin was a bit out of control at times and blew some easy transition buckets, but the athletcism jumps out at you when you see him run the floor. He even brought the ball up a few times on fast breaks, displaying the kind of versatility we haven't seen since Anthony Randolph. Jordan Mickey was the star of the night, he finished with 8 blocks while adding 12 points and 6 boards. John Odo, another freshman, didn't register a point but secured 11 rebounds in 15 minutes. Guess he's the Bismack Biyombo of the squad.
- Team could be really good defensively. In addition to Mickey's 8 blocks, Anthony Hickey had 5 steals and the GODLRUSH was held to 17-68 from the floor and just 1-15 from range. Also highly possible that Xavier is just poop.
- Another freshman, 6'6 point guard Tim Quarterman, started the game and should add a nice compliment to the hyperactivity of Hickey. When Quarterman is in the game alongside Malik Morgan in the backcourt, LSU can roll out a lineup that goes 6'6-6'4-6'8-6'9-6'9. Or, LSU can go small with Hickey and Stringer and press like their hair is on fire.
Conclusion:
The competition was obviously several steps below what UM ASS will provide, but it was clear when using the #eyetest that Johnny Jones has a lot of options at his disposal. There are 7-8 legit SEC players in the rotation and the components will allow a multitude of different looks.
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