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LSU Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Tigers

By Holden Walter-Warner

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Darius Days #22, Kavell Bigby-Williams #11, Skylar Mays #4, Tremont Waters #3 and Naz Reid #0 of the LSU Tigers huddle together against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Darius Days #22, Kavell Bigby-Williams #11, Skylar Mays #4, Tremont Waters #3 and Naz Reid #0 of the LSU Tigers huddle together against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Skylar Mays #4 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball as they take on the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. The LSU Tigers won 69-67. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Skylar Mays #4 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball as they take on the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. The LSU Tigers won 69-67. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Starting lineup

Skylar Mays

The Tigers will be looking towards Skylar Mays to be the senior leader of the team. Last season, the guard from Baton Rouge averaged 13.4 points and 1.9 steals per game. Mays shot a remarkable 86 percent from the free throw line and limited mistakes, turning the ball over just 1.2 times per contest.

With most of last year’s starting lineup gone, Mays will see the biggest increase in stature among returning Tigers. He was a legitimate prospect for the NBA Draft before deciding to return for one last hurrah. He’ll be motivated to go out with a big year.

Ja’vonte Smart

Another native of Baton Rouge, Ja’vonte Smart is coming off a big freshman season. He averaged 11.1 points per game, playing in almost 30 minutes per contest. Smart faded towards the end of the season, failing to score in 25 minutes during the Sweet Sixteen loss. A big season could lead to an NBA Draft declaration.

Marlon Taylor

After his first season at LSU, Marlon Taylor also seemed like a possible NBA Draft prospect. The guard is athletic and physical, but struggled down the stretch as well, scoring just eight total points in the NCAA Tournament. Taylor took the junior college route and this will be his final season of eligibility.

Trendon Watford

All eyes will be on Trendon Watford, the crown jewel of Will Wade’s recruiting class. In a case of deja vu, Watford plays the same position as Naz Reid and is ranked the same in 247 Sports’ recruiting rankings as Reid was: 18th in the nation, fourth at the power forward position. He should be one of the best freshmen in the SEC.

Emmitt Williams

Speaking of Reid, his presence on the roster obscured another hyped prospect at the same position, Emmitt Williams. With Reid out of the mix, Williams could be in line for a boost. He averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.

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