2005 LSU Tigers Basketball Preview

2005 LSU Tigers Team Preview

LSU finished big last season. So big it managed to tie Alabama for the SEC Western Division Title and go to the NCAA Tourney. However the team’s conference start was an unimpressive 2 -2. After that sputter they lost just two more conference games while winning ten.

One player who stepped up last season when the team seemed destine to be floundering was forward Brandon Bass. Bass was a master on defense and offense, with 42 blocked shots, 9.1 RPG, and 17.3 PPG. He recorded a team best 56.7% mark for shooting accuracy and another team best 46.2% from 3-point land. Bass is gone this year and the Tigers are bound to miss his drive, energy, and skill.

This season LSU is composed almost exclusively of juniors and freshmen. One senior, guard Darrel Mitchell, is back. Mitchell shot well from all areas in 2004-05, including the 3-point mark. Additionally, his foul shot hit a team high average of 84.6% of the time.

The big man last year, however, was forward/center Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who weighed in at 325-pounds. The weight on his 6’ 9” frame did not stop him from earning SEC freshman of the year honors or from hitting the boards with 8.8 RPG. Second in shooting only to Bass, Davis found and/or made the open lane and hit for 13.5 PPG. This season he’s down to 310-pounds and garnered more experience playing with the US under-21 national team. He steadily improved last year, which leads everyone to believe he’ll only be better this season.

Tack Minor, a junior guard, could have a fine season if he stays out of academic trouble. He found himself suspended for the summer and fall due to an academic infraction and will not be suited up until December. Minor possesses major talent but he also comes prepackaged with an “attitude.” He’ll have to be a team guy or else he’ll see the bench. The Tigers have a lot of talented freshmen guards, including 6’ 1”, solid shooting Ben Voogd. Minor is not irreplaceable.

LSU will help make the Western Division of the SEC competitive and fun to watch. Will they get an NCAA Tournament berth like they did last year? Arkansas and Alabama will certainly have something to say about that.

For more info on the 2005 Tigers check out the official LSU athletic site.