LSU faces a critical third offseason in the program as the next line of progression is building an NCAA tournament caliber roster for Matt McMahon and company.
The Tigers took the right kind of strides from year one to year two, getting to .500 in conference play and getting into the NIT tournament. It was a team that had its flaws but fought once conference play came around, turning some tough and oftentimes heartbreaking losses into jubilant victories by the end of the regular season.
That was the kind of progress required after a non-competitive first year. But in order to keep pace with a positive trajectory, the next step is constructing a team that doesn’t just scratch the surface of being a top half of the league group but rather one firmly implanted as a competitive, consistent SEC program. To get there, McMahon and LSU will need to knock this offseason out of the park when constructing this roster.
The wheels are already in motion with the signing of two talented freshmen but player retention and finding difference makers out of the transfer portal are two goals this program will need to focus in on over the next several weeks.
“The NIT is not the tournament we strive to play in here at LSU so we’ve gotta get better. We’ve gotta build and keep building. That’s what this offseason will be about, to keep building the program, to take the next step which is getting to the NCAA tournament next year,” McMahon said. “I love our players. I think in this new era of college basketball, there’s a certain mix you wanna have. I still believe in our player development model. When you’re at a place like LSU to recruit the best players in the country, come in and keep getting better. You have to use the portal with older, experienced players as well. I liked our mix and the balance you have as you wanna move the program forward.”
This offseason tracker will be a one click stop for all of the latest LSU basketball news on transfer portal targets, entries and analysis on every move that transpires during the Tigers’ offseason.
4/11: LSU picked up a commitment from UT Martin transfer guard Jordan Sears. This past season, Sears averaged 21.6 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
4/9: LSU guard Carlos Stewart will be entering the transfer portal. Stewart was injured for the most of SEC play, averaging 4.7 points in 13 appearances. After shooting 40% from three a year ago, he just never got it going for the purple and gold this past season.
3/28: LSU hosted Kansas State guard Camryn Carter on campus Thursday. Carter averaged 14.6 points per game, five rebounds and three assists last season. He’s looking for his third school in three years.
3/22: Mwani Wilkinson is set to enter the transfer portal. A move that was to be expected with one year of eligibility that Wilkinson has left. Hopefully can go somewhere and earn an increased role as a graduate transfer. Averaged just 2.1 points this season for the Tigers coming off shoulder surgery but is a career 38% three point shooter.
This will be updated as more commitments, visits and interest surfaces but for now let’s just fill it with some of the needs the Tigers will be looking for in the transfer portal this cycle. The range you’re probably looking at for portal additions is anywhere from three to five, judging on any further attrition that comes with this roster after the season.
For one, a legitimate star guard that can score and distribute would be at the top of a wish list. Hannibal was great for the Tigers down the stretch but if LSU wants to take that next step into SEC double digit wins, finding a guard that can initiate offense, distribute (while limiting turnovers) and score from the perimeter is the best way to get the most out of this returning core.
Maybe Mike Williams can develop into that some during his critical second offseason of development but finding that portal guard who can do it all would be towards the top of the wish list.
What happens with the big man rotation will be interesting to watch as the Tigers could use a back to the basket, athletic big who can provide rim protection but also be a good source for rebounds and paint points. LSU was at its best when the wings were attacking the rim and kicking for open threes but also in setting up bigs at the rim.
Daimion Collins missed most of the year but if he comes back and can stay healthy, that’s one option for potential rim protection, with the redshirt freshman Corey Chest being another. But if the Tigers want to feel really good about their bigs, another athletic seven footer would be ideal. Potentially rolling out “Player X” with Collins, Chest, Rob Miller and Jalen Reed would be a strong front court.
Lastly, you can never have too many “three and D” wings and Tyrell Ward is as good as it gets in terms of returning players at that position. But adding two more via the portal, a guard and a forward, would really round out the rotation nicely. LSU improved dramatically from three once SEC play began but with the run and gun style McMahon would ideally like to play with, long and athletic shooters is how you get the most out of this program going forward.
