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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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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) /

Projected starters

Tremont Waters
Waters was probably the best player you didn’t know about last season. He has incredible range on his jumper to go along with the playmaking and quickness that make him a matchup nightmare. Expect him to improve his already-lofty numbers (15.9 ppg, 6.0 apg) on his way to winning SEC Player of the Year.

Ja’Vonte Smart
If Wade opts for talent over experience, Smart will be in the starting lineup – and I think he’ll find his way here by the end of the year no matter what. He’s a gifted scorer with good upside as a defender thanks to his size, length, and quickness. Wade has already talked about using a three-guard lineup and the impressive skill set of this Baton Rouge native is a big reason why.

Skylar Mays
Mays will provide more perimeter shooting in this three-guard lineup. The 6-4 junior shot over 35 percent from deep last year and has spent the offseason working to improve his shot even more. Mays is also a great secondary rebounder (4.0 rpg) and playmaker (2.9 apg) and will provide some experienced leadership as the lone upperclassmen in the starting lineup.

Naz Reid
Reid, the highest-rated freshman in LSU’s recruiting class, is a potential first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft because of his versatility. At 6-10 and 240 pounds, Reid can play in the post or handle the ball on the perimeter. His shooting and vision make him a walking mismatch as a true stretch big.

Emmitt Williams
The other five-star freshman in this class, Williams is supremely athletic and, while he’s a face-up player, is more of a true big man than Reid. He’s an excellent rebounder and could be this lineup’s best defender because of his ability to effectively guard opponents both in the post and on the perimeter.

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