LSU Basketball: Who is the Tigers’ most important player in 2017-18?

LSU Basketball heads into the 2017-18 college basketball season with high expectations after a disappointing 2016-17 campaign. Which player is most important to the Tigers next season?

Things began looking up for the LSU Tigers the moment that Will Wade made the move from the VCU Rams to Baton Rouge. It was time for the Johnny Jones era to end after several disappointing seasons, and the fresh blood of a young, talented head coach has made all the difference almost immediately.

With a great recruiting class and several key returners, the Tigers are, at least in my opinion, a dark horse to make the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. However, it is not the newcomers that will be the most important aspect of LSU’s 2017-18 season, but senior forward Duop Reath.

Reath, who stands at an impressive 6’10 and 230 pounds, averaged 6.2 rebounds and 12.0 points per game in his first season with the Tigers and will likely take on a bigger role this season. It’s safe to say that Reath could easily average a double double in 2017-18, but, more importantly, play a huge role on the defensive end as this developing LSU squad attempts to adjust.

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His 1.5 blocks per game average, as well as his 0.5 steals per game, makes him one of the most underrated defenders in the SEC and a difference-maker around the rim. He does a little bit of everything for this Tigers’ squad and should thrive with a full season under his belt and a new coach in Wade.