NCAA Basketball: Will Syracuse transfer Joe Girard end up at Clemson or LSU?

Potential Joe Girard landing spot – LSU Tigers

LSU has been the team most linked to Girard since the start of his recruitment. And when he went on a visit to LSU over a week ago, it looked as if it was an ideal match. However, the sudden transfer decision of Carlos Stewart from Santa Clara coming home may have thrown a wrench into things.

Stewart is a 6’1 shooting guard that averaged over 15 ppg last season. He’s more athletic than Girard and has two years of eligibility left but it’s not a fact that he can succeed at the power conference level yet. He’s part of a revamped backcourt, joined by Jalen Cook. The point guard transfer from Tulane averaged 19.9 ppg and 4.9 apg and is the projected lead guard for the Tigers.

LSU also added Nevada center Will Baker and Vanderbilt forward Jordan Wright. There’s plenty of offensive firepower on this roster but will they be good enough on defense? And with three of the four transfers coming via the mid-major level, it would be a good move to have a proven veteran like Girard to help out.

LSU was last in the SEC this past season but with a completely new lineup, you can’t hold that against him. But it’s a completely different conference for Girard compared to the familiar confines of the ACC where Clemson is. Does the shooting guard transfer take the risk and go down south or are the Tigers from the ACC the better option?