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LSU Basketball: 3 reasons why the Tigers can win the SEC in 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

BATON ROUGE, LA - JANUARY 28: Fans of the LSU Tigers celebrate following a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 28, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game 87-82. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - JANUARY 28: Fans of the LSU Tigers celebrate following a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 28, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game 87-82. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers tries to aviod Temple ‘T.J.’ Gibbs Jr. #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as he shoots during the second half of their game during the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers tries to aviod Temple ‘T.J.’ Gibbs Jr. #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as he shoots during the second half of their game during the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

1. BA breakoutstar in Tremont Waters

Every breakout season for a program is usually led by a breakout star. Tremont Waters will be that guy for LSU.

The 5-11, 170-pounder largely flew under the radar as a freshman last season despite averaging 15.9 points and 6.0 assists per game. He was the clear focal point of LSU’s offense, and his combination of quickness, vision, and long-range shooting ability had some comparing him to now-former Oklahoma star Trae Young.

While those numbers are nice, Waters needs to take his game to another level if LSU is going to improve as well – and he has. After testing NBA Draft waters, the rising sophomore returned to Baton Rouge and has been racking up the accolades this summer. He dropped 60 points in a pro-am game and was named a breakout performer from the CP3 Elite Camp that featured the best point guards at both the college and high school levels.

Here’s what ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz said of Waters’ performance against other top-tier point guards at the camp:

"“Although physically underwhelming with an average frame and wingspan, Waters impressed as one of the most skilled shot-creators to take the floor, making deep 3s off the bounce and slithering his way past defenders with his herky-jerky style. Waters has never-ending confidence from 3, which held true even with NBA players defending him, as he covers a tremendous amount of ground with step-backs to his left.”"

Waters did benefit from being the clear best player on a below average team last season as there was no one who could take opportunities away from him. Wade will give him the same amount of freedom this year, but with a better roster, Waters will have to be more efficient – but having significantly more talent around him will also make his job easier.

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