NCAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason top-25 power rankings
The SEC is easily going to be one of the most competitive leagues in the country this year. And even though LSU might not be in the top tier of the conference (more on that group in a bit), they should be in that next tier. The Tigers may not have made the NCAA Tournament this past season but they return star power and depth while also bringing in an elite recruiting class. Quite simply, head coach Will Wade has put together an outstanding roster poised for a monster season.
One of the major reasons for excitement this year will be sophomore Tremont Waters. One of the best all-around returning guards in the nation, Waters posted a spectacular although nationally unappreciated season as a freshman a year ago. While helping guide the Tigers to an 18-15 (8-10 SEC) record due to his unique clutch gene, the 5-foot-11 Waters averaged 15.9 points (.417/.351/.801), 3.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Now a sophomore, Waters will be one of the leaders on the court for the Tigers both in terms of production and voice.
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With Waters leading the way at point guard, LSU will have an anchor in the backcourt to build around. In terms of who will play alongside him, guards Skylar Mays and Daryl Edwards are both returning after each averaged over 20 minutes per game last season. In the frontcourt, though, the Tigers will need to rely heavily on incoming recruits as well as Kavell Bigby-Williams.
Ranked at No. 4 in the country, LSU’s incoming recruiting class features some elite players that should immediately impact the program. Forwards Nazreon Reid (No. 18) and Emmitt Williams (No. 26), and Darius Days (No. 62) lead the way for this group and should play a ton of minutes in the frontcourt. Also, watch out for combo guard Ja’Vonte Smart (No. 35) as well as JUCO transfer guards Marlon Taylor and Danya Kingsby to compete for minutes in the backcourt.