2023 LSU Offseason Thread

[SECbbfan24]

Both seems to be happy so far. I don't see them playing much either , but I kinda don't think they would play much at other programs as well.

Bartlett could probably get some good minutes at a mid major or at a lower level P5 school, she actually has some talent and potential but its gonna be tough to get minutes with Reese, Smith, Rosario already on board and potentially Morrow if she decided to actually come in.

A. Williams was always a project they hope could contribute some depth in year 3 or 4. Plus it was Kim's first recruiting class, with the exception of Flaujae and Sa'Myah, LSU had limited recruiting options at that time. LSU barely missed on Grace Van Slooten who ended up heading to Oregon but never did have many options beyond all of that

 

[ucbart]

I can't wait to see how this pans out, actually. Kim has never had a slow, short, unathletic guard, who can shoot. LSU is still going to miss Morris and IDC what anyone says, Hailey Van Lith is not a PG.

 

[Dwilliams02]

I can't wait to see how this pans out, actually. Kim has never had a slow, short, unathletic guard, who can shoot. LSU is still going to miss Morris and IDC what anyone says, Hailey Van Lith is not a PG.

Tbh. Van Lith is similar to the addition of Te'a Cooper at Baylor. Gonna be interesting to say the least.

As for slow and unathletic. I think Hailey will be quick enough to run Kim half court heavy offense. Morris will be missed. But the growth of Flau'Jae and the addition of Van Lith, Williams, Velez will be be eye popping

 

[darrell]

 

[SECbbfan24]

Hope they feed her lots of gumbo, crawfish, crabs, shrimp... I know my heart would be won over with that

 

[SECbbfan24]

Tbh. Van Lith is similar to the addition of Te'a Cooper at Baylor. Gonna be interesting to say the least.

As for slow and unathletic. I think Hailey will be quick enough to run Kim half court heavy offense. Morris will be missed. But the growth of Flau'Jae and the addition of Van Lith, Williams, Velez will be be eye popping

Chloe Jackson comes to mind, Hailey Van Lith isn't as athletic as her but there was nothing flashy Jackson did while running the point at Baylor, they just kept things pretty simple

I'm not saying this like its a bad thing but Kim doesn't run some complex/WNBA style of offense... if you can feed the ball into the post, you'll be fine running her offense IMO. Its mostly pick and rolls, one on one matchups, and feeding the ball into the bigs. Obviously there is a little more to it than that but thats the bulk of her offenses. Its worked for her, she has won 4 national titles with four completely different teams running the exact same offense. I seriously doubt Hailey Van Lith handling the ball would be some giant issue. You also have Poole still there, Poa, Angelica Velez is a true PG. While Morris was great, she didn't exactly look very comfortable running the point more than not last year, but she was a bucket getter in clutch situations.

 

[jdote33]

It's been interesting to read and hear ppls thoughts on Hailey Van Lith. I didn't realize she was as polarizing as she is. I always felt she was one of the more talented guards in the nation who has improved every season. They do have options at the point. Obviously Poole can run it and I really like Last Tear Poa as well. So Hailey Van Lith doesn't need to be the exclusive point guard. Obviously Angel playmakes a lot in the half court as well.

Update: should've read the post above. Touche @SECbbfan24

 

[Big12wbbFan]

Hope they feed her lots of gumbo, crawfish, crabs, shrimp... I know my heart would be won over with that

It will be interesting to see what Morrow does. If she wants to be the face and star of a team, that will not happen at LSU with Hailey Van Lith and Reese. She would definitely have better chance of doing that at USC. If she wants good chance to win National Championship, she goes to LSU.

 

[darrell]

 

[visitingcock]

Hello is the point guard? Even if she never played point guard at Louisville in 3 years?

No. Hello is at the post. Goodbye is at point.

 

[SCGamecock]

It will be interesting to see what Morrow does. If she wants to be the face and star of a team, that will not happen at LSU with Hailey Van Lith and Reese. She would definitely have better chance of doing that at USC. If she wants good chance to win National Championship, she goes to LSU.

Morrow won’t be the face of any of her finalists. Including USC. That is Juju Watkins team.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Morrow won’t be the face of any of her finalists. Including USC. That is Juju Watkins team.

Juju Watkins hasn’t played a minute of NCAA basketball. Morrow would be the star and leading scorer of that team until Watkins was at least a sophomore.

 

[visitingcock]

Morrow won’t be the face of any of her finalists. Including USC. That is Juju Watkins team.

Talk about over-hyping a untested
freshman over an established star in Morrow!

I suppose Mikayla Williams will be the face of LSU over Reese too.

 

[SCGamecock]

Talk about over-hyping a untested
freshman over an established star in Morrow!

I suppose Mikayla Williams will be the face of LSU over Reese too.

I’m not overhyping anything. Juju Watkins is literally being promoted all over social media as the face of a resurgent USC WBB program.

And no, Williams will not be the face of LSU, because that’s currently Angel Reese (Kim Mulkey).

 

[SCGamecock]

Juju Watkins hasn’t played a minute of NCAA basketball. Morrow would be the star and leading scorer of that team until Watkins was at least a sophomore.

I disagree. And that’s fine.

She may be “a” star. But not “the” star.

 

[jdote33]

So if LSU was to land Morrow would she start at the 3 or the 4. What would be the projected starting lineup.

 

[cancontent]

LSU is going to be a team a lot of people will love to hate, and you know what, I think they'll revel in it.

"Think"? It's a forgone conclusion that they'll enjoy it in my opinion. Some of the players thrive off of it. If it works for them, all good. Motivation comes in different forms.

 

[SECbbfan24]

So if LSU was to land Morrow would she start at the 3 or the 4. What would be the projected starting lineup.

I doubt she is coming to LSU although I have said this about 90% of the recruits who came here so maybe I need to keep the same energy...

But hypothetically
G- Hailey Van Lith 5'7
G- Flaujae 5'10
G- M Williams 6'0
F- Morrow 6-1
F- Reese 6-3

LSU gains a little more size overall adding M Williams and Hailey Van Lith compared to Carson/Morris but won't have a true 5 minus Rosario coming off the bench at 6'6

But sometimes size isn't the end all be all, despite Ladazhia being 6'4 she was out rebounded by many of our guards and Smith coming off the bench quite a bit at times

 

[cancontent]

Talk about over-hyping a untested
freshman over an established star in Morrow!

I suppose Mikayla Williams will be the face of LSU over Reese too.

I’m not overhyping anything. Juju Watkins is literally being promoted all over social media as the face of a resurgent USC WBB program.

And no, Williams will not be the face of LSU, because that’s currently Angel Reese (Kim Mulkey).

Weren't both Bueckers and Boston hailed as the stars of their teams when they were freshmen, even though there were established starters on their rosters? It happens.

Watkins is a very intriguing player and she deserves the attention she's earned. She's proven herself both in the US and on an international level during the U17 event. Looking forward to seeing how it translates in the NCAA.

 

[bballnut90]

I doubt she is coming to LSU

But hypothetically
G- Hailey Van Lith 5'7
G- Flaujae 5'10
G- M Williams 6'0
F- Morrow 6-1
F- Reese 6-3

LSU gains a little more size overall adding M Williams and Hailey Van Lith compared to Carson/Morris but won't have a true 5 minus Rosario coming off the bench at 6'6

But sometimes size isn't the end all be all, despite Ladazhia being 6'4 she was out rebounded by many of our guards and Smith coming off the bench quite a bit at times

Morrow and Reese would form arguably the best rebounding frontline in the country outside of (maybe) SC, plus Flau'jae is a fantastic rebounder at 5-10. There aren't any squads like the 2022-23 SC/Stanford teams going into next year where they're head and shoulders taller than anyone else.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Morrow and Reese would form arguably the best rebounding frontline in the country outside of (maybe) SC, plus Flau'jae is a fantastic rebounder at 5-10. There aren't any squads like the 2022-23 SC/Stanford teams going into next year where they're head and shoulders taller than anyone else.

I personally think Morrow would compliment Reese well as she can hit the mid range jumper (Reese has to develop that aspect of her game) and for her size she rebounds exceptionally well. Anyone remember Ayanna Mitchell for LSU a few years ago? Despite being undersized she was a rebounding machine based on her ability to box out, get good position and just being a work horse.

It all comes to what Morrows goals internally are. Is she content taking much less shots and is committed to helping the team win a ring? Then I believe she could fit in very well at LSU/SC. If she wants to get more shots up and still be that overall leader, despite the addition of Juju, USC would be the better place for her. But this is just basketball related, she made it clear there were a variety of non basketball related things she was looking for in her new school, that may end up being a bigger factor than most actually think.

For the record, Morrow could still put up big stats at LSU, as well as Hailey Van Lith and Reese. LSU was basically led by the big 3 core last year of Morris, Reese and Flaujae. Ladazhia had quite a few games where she had massive numbers but its not going to be an every week thing. As evidence by SC this season, you don't need monster stats to be recognized or earn awards. That was a team 1-5 all very strong and complimented each other well.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[baggerbob]

I personally think Morrow would compliment Reese well as she can hit the mid range jumper (Reese has to develop that aspect of her game) and for her size she rebounds exceptionally well. Anyone remember Ayanna Mitchell for LSU a few years ago? Despite being undersized she was a rebounding machine based on her ability to box out, get good position and just being a work horse.

It all comes to what Morrows goals internally are. Is she content taking much less shots and is committed to helping the team win a ring? Then I believe she could fit in very well at LSU/SC. If she wants to get more shots up and still be that overall leader, despite the addition of Juju, USC would be the better place for her. But this is just basketball related, she made it clear there were a variety of non basketball related things she was looking for in her new school, that may end up being a bigger factor than most actually think.

For the record, Morrow could still put up big stats at LSU, as well as Hailey Van Lith and Reese. LSU was basically led by the big 3 core last year of Morris, Reese and Flaujae. Ladazhia had quite a few games where she had massive numbers but its not going to be an every week thing. As evidence by SC this season, you don't need monster stats to be recognized or earn awards. That was a team 1-5 all very strong and complimented each other well.

If Morrow really wants to play at the next level, she needs to show she can play well if other good players.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Morrow and Reese would form arguably the best rebounding frontline in the country outside of (maybe) SC, plus Flau'jae is a fantastic rebounder at 5-10. There aren't any squads like the 2022-23 SC/Stanford teams going into next year where they're head and shoulders taller than anyone else.

The 2023 Stanford team wasn’t head and shoulders above anyone. They were overhyped and overrated because people underrated the loss of their key backcourt players and overrated the value of returning players and freshman. South Carolina also wasn’t head and shoulder above most of the top 10 teams considering how many close games they had but I do think they were clearly the best team in the country the whole season. The cape was just much smaller than it was billed.
Both teams just happened to have the media hyping them up all year so this narrative persisted.

 

[bballnut90]

The 2023 Stanford team wasn’t head and shoulders above anyone. They were overhyped and overrated because people underrated the loss of their key backcourt players and overrated the value of returning players and freshman. South Carolina also wasn’t head and shoulder above most of the top 10 teams considering how many close games they had but I do think they were clearly the best team in the country the whole season. The cape was just much smaller than it was billed.
Both teams just happened to have the media hyping them up all year so this narrative persisted.

Please re-read. I said head and shoulders taller, not better.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Please re-read. I said head and shoulders taller, not better.

I thought you meant taller metaphorically, my b.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Incredibly excited about Velez and Williams. Janae Kent as well, despite not having the hype, 3 level scorer a 6'1 is physically has all the tools.

Rosario desperately needs a offseason in the weight room and time with Starkey/Kim on fundamentals.

 

[bballnut90]

Williams looks like another Cappie Pondexter/Jewell Loyd type of player. Really pretty shot and ability to create off the dribble. Should help address concerns about perimeter shooting with Morris/Carson gone and will be fun to watch.

 

[GeauxTime]

Angel Reese really is capitalizing on her new fame. The branding and exposure she is getting right now is top-notch. The girl is striking while the iron is hot; you can't help but respect the hustle. Recently, she hit 2 million Instagram followers (most followed WBB player) and now has appeared in a Latto and Cardi B music video. All this while LSU also gets a shout-out in the rap. You just know Coach G gonna capitalize on that when recruiting. lol

 

[triaddukefan]

Angel Reese really is capitalizing on her new fame. The branding and exposure she is getting right now is top-notch. The girl is striking while the iron is hot; you can't help but respect the hustle. Recently, she hit 2 million Instagram followers (most followed WBB player) and now has appeared in a Latto and Cardi B music video. All this while LSU also gets a shout-out in the rap. You just know Coach G gonna capitalize on that when recruiting. lol

If more than four people on this forum know who Big Latto is, I'll eat a vegan burger and some vegan fries.

Edit. That song was trash, and if you were born before 1988, you might not want to check out the video.