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Posted: Friday, 14 March 2008 5:27PM
A new chapter of LSU basketball is about to be written
WWL.com's Jeff Palermo Reporting
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One of the most unusual seasons in the history of the LSU men's basketball program concluded with the Tigers losing to South Carolina 77 to 73 in the first round of the SEC Tournament. While every player on the team is eligible to return, it could have a different look next season.
Butch Pierre did a commendable job taking over as head coach for the fired John Brady. But it's likely Pierre won't be the head coach next season. Several reports have suggested Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant will be the Tigers' top choice. USC's Tim Floyd, Massachusetts' Travis Ford, Washington State's Tony Bennett, Missouri's Mike Anderson, and Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery have also been named as potential candidates.
Grant is considered the top choice because of his connection with LSU System President, John Lombardi. Grant was an assistant coach when Lombardi was the president at the University of Florida. Grant almost got the job at Florida last year, but Billy Donovan decided to come back to Gainesville after briefly taking the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic.
But several schools will be coming after Grant. His VCU team went 28 and 7 last year and beat Duke to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Commonwealth was upset in the Colonial Athletic Association this season, and is on the bubble to make the Big Dance.
 Whoever is named the head coach will have to convince freshman Anthony Randolph to return for at least one more season. Randolph was named to the All-SEC Freshman team after averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game. NBA Draft experts say Randolph could be a lottery pick this summer because of his potential. But the six-foot-ten Dallas native could use another year of college basketball to get stronger mentally and physically. Randolph said after the loss to South Carolina that he loves LSU and is having fun playing college basketball.
Coaches who are looking to make the next jump in their career will look at LSU closely. This team is built to win next season, especially if Randolph returns. Tasmin Mitchell will also return after sitting out nearly the entire season with a foot injury. Team leader and defensive stopper, Garrett Temple, is back for his senior season, and scoring machine, Marcus Thornton, is also back. Also, the Tigers welcome a recruiting class that's ranked in the Top 20. |
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