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LSU Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Tigers

By Brian Rauf

COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 04: Jalyn Patterson #11 of the LSU Tigers shoots as Kevin Puryear #24 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game at Mizzou Arena on January 4, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 04: Jalyn Patterson #11 of the LSU Tigers shoots as Kevin Puryear #24 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game at Mizzou Arena on January 4, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – JANUARY 05: Tyler Ulis #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats takes a shot during the first half of a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 5, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – JANUARY 05: Tyler Ulis #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats takes a shot during the first half of a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 5, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

LSU Basketball has the talent to have a breakout season in head coach Will Wade’s second year. Just how good will the Tigers be in 2018-19?

The LSU Tigers have sky-high expectations entering the new college basketball season. They were a pleasant surprise last year under new head coach Will Wade, going 18-15 and making the second round of the NIT.

This season, the Tigers will start ranked in the top-25 and should be a lock to make the NCAA Tournament. Why?

Star point guard Tremont Waters, one of the best point guards in the country, is back and is being joined by the nation’s No. 4 overall recruiting class, headlined by five-star big men Naz Reid and Emmitt Williams.

Related Story. Why LSU can win the SEC this season. light

Many teams tend to shy away from or downplay high expectations at the start of a season, but not Wade. He and the team are embracing those expectations, a sentiment he expressed during the team’s first press conference a few weeks ago.

"“I think expectations are good. Our expectations internally are going to be much higher. But that doesn’t matter. You’ve got to earn it. “You’ve got to earn the right the win. I talk to our players all the time, you’ve got to earn the right to play. Just because you show up, doesn’t mean good things are going to happen. You’ve got to earn it every day with what you do. Earn it with how you build your habits and build really, really really good habits and championship habits every day.”"

LSU is also facing the worst adversity you can face following the shooting death of forward Wayde Sims. The team is still mourning this death and will be for a long time – certainly throughout the length of the season. They plan to honor him all year long and want to do so by winning.

Just how good will the Tigers end up be in 2018-19? Here’s a full preview for LSU’s upcoming season, including a look at their projected rotation and a breakdown of their non-conference schedule.

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