HOOPS BY BUZZ

Written by Buzz Breeden

November 11, 2010

In this weeks edition of hoops, I will preview the LSU basketball team and give you my NBA top 5, hope you enjoy.

2010-2011 LSU Men’s Basketball Season Preview:

61.5 PPG (12th in Sec), 40% field goal shooting (12th in sec), 29% 3pt shooting ( 12th in sec), 9th in league in rebounding…Needless to say it was a forgettable season last year for the basketball team, who finished 11-20 overall and 2-14 in the SEC.
Trent Johnson enters his third season at LSU with an overall record of 39-28. This year’s team looks to struggle just as much as last year’s bunch. Most publications are picking LSU to finish near the bottom of the cellar in the SEC west. Hopefully with a new core group of players and Coach Johnson’s smoothing defensive approach, LSU can rebound from last year’s performance. Here is a breakdown of positions:

Backcourt:

With Bo Spencer out at least the first half of the season (academics), LSU will have to rely on unproven players to score the ball. LSU does not have proven upperclassmen to step up in Spencer’s absence and will need to rely on talented freshmen KC Ross-Miller and Andre Stinger. Chris Bass and Aaron Dotson will definitely have to play key roles from last year. Bass (2 ppg, 3 ast) saw a lot of time last year but has not proven he can be a viable option for scoring. Dotson needs to be 100 percent from last year’s knee injury if he plans to play significant minutes. The backcourt is by far the weakest area on this LSU team. If Spencer is allowed to play in the second semester and a few of these guards can step up and become a serious scoring threat, LSU has a decent shot at the SEC west.

Frontcourt:

Storm Warren has the potential to be a double-double guy each game. Last year average 12 ppg and 7 rebs, Storm will be the anchor to this LSU team much like Tasmin Mitchell was last year. Warren will have more depth on the blocks this year; Malcolm White played a few years at Ole Miss and has proven he can play in the SEC. The key to the Biggs, just like the guards, is how well the freshmen can play. LSU has a few talented forwards ready to play—Matt Derenbecker and Jalen Courtney. Both freshmen are more perimeter players, but the key for Coach Johnson is getting some rebounding productivity out of both.

LSU’s SEC championship in 2008 seems so long ago; this team is no where near that caliber. LSU is very young and they have a lot of potential, but will they reach it this year? I am very excited about this team. I think it is great to see a young team try to come together and that is what you have here. Overall the SEC West is up for grabs. Mississippi State is the consistent pick to win the division. If somehow the Tigers can mesh early on, LSU might have a chance to sneak up on a few teams. It will certainly be an entertaining year.

Prediction: NIT

NBA TOP 5

1. Los Angeles Lakers (8-0): They are number one by a mile at this point; winning games by and average of 13.8pts.

2. New Orleans Hornets (7-0): I am racing this team up the polls so quickly due to the "swarming" D the Hornets are playing. They may not keep this spot for long, but they are a true contender.

3. Boston Celtics (6-2): Yes, the Celts lost to the Mavs last night, but they are the only team with a "Big 4" (KG, Pierce, Allen,Rondo) and just think how much better they can be. Right now they are 23rd in the league in rebounding; once the Celts settle on a big man rotation the sky is the limit.

4. Orlando Magic (5-1): Sure they had a bad loss to the Heat, but have you seen them play since? The magic denfense is playing lights out, only one opponet has score 90; they held the Bulls to 67pts! Dwight Howard is stepping his game up this year averaging 24 pts and 10 rebs.

5. San Antonie Spurs (5-1): Not much to say, once again the Spurs are solid...sure they are dull and boring...but its working for now.