LSU’s season ended in disappointing fashion in the first round of the NIT, but overall year two was a success for Matt McMahon’s LSU program, ending 9-9 in SEC play. Now, the Tigers head into the offseason losing four graduates and with Mwani Wilkinson already in the transfer portal.
Here’s a look at the current roster, where LSU stands, and what the Tigers still need from the portal.
Current roster – Eight players
Backcourt
G – Tyrell Ward
G – Carlos Stewart
G – Mike Williams
G – Jalen Cook
The backcourt has a lot of potential for next year, but I think there are still transfer portal questions, specifically with Jalen Cook. After getting suspended at the end of the year and not returning to the team, I assume he’s not returning, which is also supported by LSU pursuing more scoring guards in the portal. We’ll see what his decision is and his timeline.
Ward, Stewart, and Williams are all going to have portal interest from teams, but keeping this group is especially important to maintain consistency and the foundation set this past season. Ward is one of the best 3-point shooter in the country, Williams had a positive freshman season, and Stewart could be a potent scorer next year off the bench.
Frontcourt
F – Jalen Reed
F – Derek Fountain
F –Corey Chest
F – Daimion Collins
I expect Reed to be one of the best players on the team next year as a junior and a potential All-SEC candidate as he rounds out his game. Fountain returning for a third year at LSU and a fifth season would be a positive as well, but I don’t expect him to get significantly better. He kind of just is what he is. Chest is going to be competing for minutes next year as a high-energy player with his rebounding and his defense.
To me, a lot of pressure is on Collins next year. LSU needs him to show why he was a former five-star player. His upside is evident with his defensive potential, touch around the rim, and as a lob threat to the goal. I know Matt McMahon likes bigs who can shoot the three ball, but Collins could be a huge piece of next year’s team if he can develop – and he has a pretty good jumper.
Additions – Four players
G – Vyctorious Miller (FR)
G – Curtis Givens (FR)
F – Robert Miller (FR)
G – Cam Carter (Kansas State)
This is the recruiting class that has LSU fans excited – and for good reason. Three four-star prospects who all have promising upside and could have excellent careers at LSU with the development of Matt McMahon and his staff. Realistically, I don’t think any of them are starters in year one, but could two of them contribute? Certainly. Vyctorious Miller is a high-level perimeter scorer. Givens is a true point guard who also has a quality 3-point shot and some good size. Robert Miller is an exciting forward who is a skilled offensive player and has rim-protection ability that could get him on the court quickly.
Carter is the big addition so far from the transfer portal, as a 14 point per game scorer from Kansas State. He fills the Jordan Wright role nicely as a veteran scorer to help ease in the players stepping into new roles. Certainly a starter in 2024-25.
Right now, I’d have Carter, Ward, and Reed locked in as starters right now.
What does LSU need in the portal?
Assuming Cook is gone, a point guard is atop the list for LSU. A veteran who can control the game and score out of a ball screen is going to be a necessity. LSU got through the past season without Jalen Cook, but ideally Matt McMahon knows the value of a high-level point guard. The Tigers have been linked to Jordan Sears, a transfer target from UT Martin who visited this past week. We’ll see if they can get him on board.
Assuming no attrition, LSU will have five forwards who could contribute in 2024-25 with the development of Chest and Robert Miller. If there are no departures, I struggle to see LSU taking another big, just based on numbers – LSU needs more wings. Still, Collins is the only true center at this moment.
Similarly, I would say Tyrell Ward is the only true wing on the roster right now. LSU needs more 6’5”-6’7” players to add on the wing. It will be interesting to see how much player movement there is over the coming weeks that set the table and raise the urgency for Matt McMahon and his staff to attack the portal.
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