Bandwagon is defined as a particular activity or cause that has suddenly become fashionable or popular.
The word carries a negative connotation in the world of sports, referring to fans who rush to support successful teams or who only care about their own favorite team when it’s winning.
Aside from a few die-hards, the majority of LSU basketball fans fall under the latter. It’s not their fault — Baton Rouge has and always will be a football town, and the basketball team is only a big deal if it’s winning.
This is not meant to be a dig at the purple and gold faithful, but instead as a bit of advice to even the most casual LSU hoops observer.
Now is the time to get back on the bandwagon.
Johnny Jones made the Tigers scrappy and fun to watch during his first season at the helm. LSU returns its key cogs from that team in preseason All-Southeastern Conference forward Johnny O’Bryant III, along with point guard Anthony Hickey and some improved role players.
Combined with a recruiting class ranked in the top-10 nationally and headlined by stud Jarell Martin, Jones now has the pieces necessary to return the Tigers to relevance.
Players have stated that an NCAA Tournament berth is the goal, but the ceiling is much higher. If things break right, namely the young talent meshes well with the returners, LSU has a chance to be ranked by season’s end, earn a high seed in the tournament and win games in March.
LSU hasn’t made the Big Dance since 2009 and it could be difficult for fans to imagine such a quantum leap based off last season. But after a quick glance at the personnel, it’s obvious this squad is on another level athletically.
Last season, Jones started two sub-6-foot guards and an oversized tuba player inside, with O’Bryant serving as the only legitimate big man in sight.
Fast forward one season and LSU doesn’t resemble the same team. Surveying the row of players at Monday’s media day, the Tigers will have height and length all around the court. Shavon Coleman was often the second tallest player on the court and played almost exclusively inside. With the additions of Martin, fellow freshmen Jordan Mickey and Darcy Malone and transfer John Odo, Jones primarily plans to play Comeman on the perimeter this season, his more natural position.
Even harder to fathom, Jones said there would be time this season when 6-foot-4 guard Malik Morgan would be the shortest player on the court.
The Tigers’ greatest asset will be their versatility. With a litany of guards and forwards at his disposal, Jones will be able to wear out opponents with an up-tempo attack and can play big or small depending on how he wants to attack the opponent.
The media has already taken note of LSU’s improvement. The Tigers were voted to finish fourth in the SEC and were the hot topic of discussion at the conference’s media days in Birmingham earlier this month.
Fourth place may seem a bit ambitious to some, but LSU has the potential to accomplish that and more if everything clicks.
Jones has worked hard to bring the excitement back to the PMAC and has amassed enough talent to sustain it.
Hop on the bandwagon now. It’s going to get crowded once the season starts.
James Moran is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Beacon, N.Y.