A Look at the LSU Tigers

[SoonerTraveler]

LSU Roster
http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2166&SPSID=27829

LSU Season Statistics / pdf file
http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/mb/16stats/16stats.pdf

Points Per Game ... Probable Starters
19.8 ... Ben Simmons (Freshman; F, 6-10, 240) Melbourne, Australia
13.2 ... Keith Hornsby (Senior; G, 6-4, 210) Williamsburg, Virginia
12.8 ... Craig Victor (Sophomore; F, 6-9, 235) New Orleans, Louisiana
11.6 ... Tim Quarterman (Junior; G, 6-6, 190) Savannah, Georgia
_5.5 ... Jalyn Patterson (Sophomore; G, 6-1, 185) Atlanta, Georgia

Points Per Game ... Others with > 200 Minutes Playing Time
_9.7 ... Antonio Blakeney (Freshman; G, 6-4, 190) Sarasota, Florida
_6.8 ... Josh Gray (Senior; G, 6-1, 177) Lake Charles, Louisiana
_5.4 ... Brandon Sampson (Freshman; G, 6-5, 186) Baton Rouge, Louisiana
_4.6 ... Aaron Epps (Sophomore; F, 6-9, 220) Ball, Louisiana


Most Recent Game / Tuesday night’s win over Georgia (89-85) ... Five players scored in double-figures, as both Ben Simmons and Tim Quarterman scored 22 points. They played a short bench, as 6 players played 25 minutes or more, and only one other player played more than 5 minutes (Josh Gray played 9 minutes). Ben Simmons had 14 rebounds and 17 free throw attempts.

LSU-Georgia Box Score / Shot Chart
http://www.secsports.com/boxscore/mens-basketball/400830419

At the above link, check out the shot chart for Ben Simmons. Everything is in the paint.

Per my LSU friends, Ben Simmons does his scoring in-the-paint and at the free throw line. He plays like a Point-Forward who often brings the ball up the court; but he does not have a well-developed outside shot.

In the SEC, Ben Simmons ranks in the Top-5 in the following categories
> Points per Game ... #3 (19.8 ppg)
> Rebounds per Game ... #1 (12.7 rpg)
> Assists per Game ... #5 (4.9 apg)
> Steals per Game ... #3 (1.8 spg)
> Free Throw Attempts ... #1 (174 / 8.7 per game)
> Free Throws made ... #3 (124 / 6.2 per game)

SEC Statistics
http://www.secsports.com/statistics/mens-basketball

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Interesting concerns expressed by an LSU fan.

LSU shoots the 3 ball at 32.5%

LSU 3 point defense surrenders the 3 at 34.7% (175 ranked in the NCAA) giving up 7.5 three’s a game

Oklahoma leads the country in 3 point fg pct at 46.7%

If we don’t defend the 3 ball……we get run out of the PMAC. We gave up 19 to North Florida on 19 of 33 shooting … luckily it was North Florida

 

[Soonerinkc]

as in the other thread....I think Simmons will get his. Yes, Buddy had 46 and it took 3 OT's and we still loss to ku..just saying Simmons alone can't beat OU.

I think we focus on keeping the other guys...heck if Simmons gets his "20" and we can keep the others from getting their avg we should be good.

#1 OU has played at Lawrence and Ames..Hawaii (Home game for them) not a great crowd but def not for OU.

I don't think their home court will be any worse...shouldn't effect us too much.

Boomer!

 

[schoonerdriver]

Wonder what Simmons would do with a little full court pressure.

 

[IllTemperedSeaBass]

I wonder who starts out guarding him. That person is likely to pick up some quick fouls.

 

[sdcloud9]

I wonder who starts out guarding him. That person is likely to pick up some quick fouls.

I think OU will use multiple players on him. Try to stay fresh and hope for the best.

He is a tremendous player.

 

[MNsooner]

This will be a huge test for our interior defense. Simmons is quite a player. We'll need to fight hard for rebounds and do our best to contest shots. I think we should win, but this is still a road game against a good team.

 

[pnkranger]

Wonder what Simmons would do with a little full court pressure.

He's a really good ball handler...

 

[TheMont]

I think our biggest issue this game will be keeping Simmons (and others) off the offensive glass. We need to really focus on blocking out and grabbing rebounds, just like we did for the WVU game (we've been less than ideal on the defensive glass since that game).

 

[DenverSooner]

In the SEC, Ben Simmons ranks in the Top-5 in the following categories
> Points per Game ... #3 (19.8 ppg)
> Rebounds per Game ... #1 (12.7 rpg)
> Assists per Game ... #5 (4.9 apg)
> Steals per Game ... #3 (1.8 spg)
> Free Throw Attempts ... #1 (174 / 8.7 per game)
> Free Throws made ... #3 (124 / 6.2 per game)

SEC Statistics
http://www.secsports.com/statistics/mens-basketball

Those are impressive stats. I am particularly impressed with the assists and steals. A guy averaging a double double typically isn't one of the tops in the league in assists and steals.

Why did this kid end up at LSU? Did he play prep ball in Louisiana?

 

[Soonerinkc]

I'm not trying to take away from him...but #1...it's the sec. #2...ESPN is all over him...just saw a lead in..."what is Ben Simmons?" Seriously...

We'll see.

 

[DenverSooner]

You think the SEC is no good? The SEC has some solid programs and even if you say it is the weakest power five conference in basketball, it is still a power five conference.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Lol...ok bud.

Didn't say they sec...wasn't good. They aren't the big 12 or acc...maybe even pac 12...big ten.

Even Buddy has flaws. He's not superman. Everything I've heard, yes he's #1 draft prospect...but he still has to develop a solid jump shot.

Yeah, I don't give enough credit to the sec...big deal.

Is OU going to roll them...doubt it. I'd give OU about a 60/65% chance to win. If OU is on...then pretty confident.

 

[schoonerdriver]

He's a really good ball handler...

I dont doubt it, but man to man full court with a smaller guard, I would think there are some steal opportunities. Long way for the ball to travel for a 6'10" dribbling.

 

[Larry72]

Simmons and LSU will not be bothered by full court pressure. We have not pressured much and LSU has a deeper bench.

I hope AK has a break out game on Sat getting some blocks and a lot of RBs

 

[TINY]

Simmons and LSU will not be bothered by full court pressure. We have not pressured much and LSU has a deeper bench.

I hope AK has a break out game on Sat getting some blocks and a lot of RBs

This feels like a game ak can make an impact in. I think Lsu will test our bigs with Simmons and victor. Lsu will do their best to score in the paint so we will need Ak's presence down low, too.

 

[bearcreekfan]

Why did this kid end up at LSU? Did he play prep ball in Louisiana?

An LSU assistant coach, David Patrick, is Simmons' godfather and became friends with Ben's father, Dave, in Australia. This article gives the background.

Ben played at Montverde Academy in Florida.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I dont doubt it, but man to man full court with a smaller guard, I would think there are some steal opportunities. Long way for the ball to travel for a 6'10" dribbling.

didn't effect magic Johnson 6'9 or LeBron 6'8+

Simmons is a great pro prospect and a great player .. he is maybe the best passer in college basketball ..

sometimes he is too unselfish ... and as others have said he has a long way to go on his jump shot ...

but he is a lock surefire #1 pick in the NBA draft .. and it is not really close ..

 

[Zimwillett]

LSU showed a lot of zone against Georgia and gave up a TON of open looks. Georgia shot 6-23 from three and missed several that Buddy and Jordan make in their sleep.

I haven't seen enough of LSU to say whether zone is their base defense or that was a one game plan against a team they knew couldn't shoot. However, if they play that kind of zone vs. OU I'll be thrilled. Think Baylor but with even easier looks.