2023-24 LSU Thread

[Hester42]

With the status of Reese/Poole up in the air still. Thought this was interesting take and you can’t deny the film. What made Reese so successful last year (hard work, effort, commitment during the summer) has not been there all year this year. It’s 100% obvious to anyone who watches the game. She isn’t in good shape right now and energy is non existent. SaMyah smith happened to be the only returner who stayed the entire summer. It’s not a coincidence she looked so improved. Now LSUs in a pretty bad spot depth chart wise and chemistry wise with all that has happened. The absence of Smith to injury, Poole/Reese internal issues. only two players now (only one starter) from LSUs national title team roster are playing. Now starting at square one again trying to find identity and chemistry.

Anyways if Reese doesn’t play you’d have to figure vT would be the favorite but not by much. VT was full strength in the Cayman Islands and honestly looked less impressive barely scraping by a down Tulane team who got blown out by Virginia and went down to the wire with Kansas. Should be an electric atmosphere down in BR.

 

[oldude]

With the status of Reese/Poole up in the air still. Thought this was interesting take and you can’t deny the film. What made Reese so successful last year (hard work, effort, commitment during the summer) has not been there all year this year. It’s 100% obvious to anyone who watches the game. She isn’t in good shape right now and energy is non existent. SaMyah smith happened to be the only returner who stayed the entire summer. It’s not a coincidence she looked so improved. Now LSUs in a pretty bad spot depth chart wise and chemistry wise with all that has happened. The absence of Smith to injury, Poole/Reese internal issues. only two players now (only one starter) from LSUs national title team roster are playing. Now starting at square one again trying to find identity and chemistry.

Anyways if Reese doesn’t play you’d have to figure vT would be the favorite but not by much. VT was full strength in the Cayman Islands and honestly looked less impressive barely scraping by a down Tulane team who got blown out by Virginia and went down to the wire with Kansas. Should be an electric atmosphere down in BR.

I watched this video yesterday and commented about it on the BY. Clearly, Reese’s effort is lacking. Is it attitude, poor conditioning or both?

 

[Hester42]

I watched this video yesterday and commented about it on the BY. Clearly, Reese’s effort is lacking. Is it attitude, poor conditioning or both?

Probably both. I don’t think it’s possible to not do anything all summer and be back in the ideal conditioning less than a month into the season. Fall camp isn’t addressing anyone conditioning over night.


Even kateri Poole looked horribly out of shape and not up to speed like she was last year from watching her play this year. Of all the returners, only smith, Poa and Flaujae looked like they stayed in shape. And now smith is out for an unsure amount of times after looking like one of the most impressive players early on. It was sad because she is one of my favorites to watch and I enjoyed watching her growth from last year

 

[Gordo]

Having followed Kim Mulkey for years, I would image she probably told Reese to spend the time away from the team getting herself in shape, and to forget how important she thinks she is to the world. To just concentrate on becoming an even better basketball player and helping LSU and her teammates repeat as National Champs.

 

[Hester42]

 

[Gordo]

Yeah, happy to hear it.

 

[Vowelguy]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

 

[oldude]

Reese will be back for LSU’s matchup with 9th ranked VA Tech. I guess she learned her lesson after sitting out those four straight games against cupcakes….

 

[oldude]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

Smith is probably the most athletic player on LSU.

 

[SARG 2011]

Smith also suffered an acl injury in HS .

 

[Geew1992]

Poole is no longer with the team

 

[Coler]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

 

[Geew1992]

It has since been deleted and change

 

[Hester42]

Smith is a big loss for LSU. She took a major step in her development going into year 2. Was sad to see because i enjoyed watching her play. She had knee issues in HS I believe, Desoto kids all seemed to sustain major injuries at some point

On a positive, ADR will be forced to play and grow up much faster. I’m sure there will be major stumbles on the way but she will be better for it long term

 

[BRS24]

If memory serves, Smith was hurt in first game prior to UConn vs UCLA, due to court conditions. Let's just hope going forward that holiday tourney destinations do a better job of climate control in these gyms.

 

[cancontent]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

Very in my opinion.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Reese will be back for LSU’s matchup with 9th ranked VA Tech. I guess she learned her lesson after sitting out those four straight games against cupcakes….

I'm shocked, shocked I tell ya.

 

[Hester42]

If memory serves, Smith was hurt in first game prior to UConn vs UCLA, due to court conditions. Let's just hope going forward that holiday tourney destinations do a better job of climate control in these gyms.

Yeah the Cayman Islands seemed like a mess with the floors and players slipping and staffing trying to wipe up the floors. It’s been a issue at all these small island tournaments it seems

 

[Plebe]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

Very important player. She was starting this year, was averaging ~12 ppg and ~8 rpg before her injury. Without her their post depth is shot.

 

[Vowelguy]

W/o Smith & Poole, what does LSU have?

Van Lith - Morrow - Reese - the soph who played a lot last year - the highly regarded frosh
what else (in terms of significant contributors)

 

[cancontent]

W/o Smith & Poole, what does LSU have?

Van Lith - Morrow - Reese - the soph who played a lot last year - the highly regarded frosh
what else (in terms of significant contributors)

Last Tear Poa is streaky, but when she's focused she can provide decent minutes off the bench.

 

[militarydog]

Eek. Dont follow closely. How important is Smith?

A very important player. She was the proverbial “glue” player. She rebounded, played hard post defense, set screens, and basically banged up the competition down low. Her presence allowed the stars of the team to shine. Tough loss.

 

[Gordo]

W/o Smith & Poole, what does LSU have?

Van Lith - Morrow - Reese - the soph who played a lot last year - the highly regarded frosh
what else (in terms of significant contributors)

Smith is a very big loss, but Flau'jae Johnson, 5'10, So., G., and Mikaylah Williams, 6'0, Fr., G., are very good. Besides Last-Tear Poa they might be struggling? So the starters are going to have to play lots of minutes without getting into foul trouble against the best teams.

 

[Vowelguy]

Smith is a very big loss, but Flau'jae Johnson, 5'10, So., G., and Mikaylah Williams, 6'0, Fr., G., are very good. Besides Last-Tear Poa they might be struggling? So the starters are going to have to play lots of minutes without getting into foul trouble against the best teams.

Looks like their 6'6 frosh Del Rosario is getting decent minutes?

 

[Plebe]

Looks like their 6'6 frosh Del Rosario is getting decent minutes?

She has been in the last two games with Smith hurt. She played only 4 minutes in the Colorado game. Against Kent State only 3 minutes (and that was the game where Reese was benched the entire second half). She played more in some blowout wins but hard to read much into that.