Take away a top-10 recruiting class and the return of two All-Southeastern Conference players, and the LSU men’s basketball team still possesses championship traits.
Guard Andre Stringer and forward Shavon Coleman are the only seniors on the Tigers’ roster, a statistic that may sound alarming to some. But considering that the last four NCAA champions had no more than three seniors apiece and were often guided by superstar underclassmen, LSU doesn’t look so bad.
Though the Tigers have a short supply of seniors, their roster is lined with seven newcomers. The vaunted 2013 recruiting class has attracted ample hype, but it’s up to Coleman and Stringer to show the freshmen the ropes in fall practice before LSU tips off the regular season Nov. 12.
“[Coleman and I] go by situations,” Stringer said. “In practice, we’re always talking and trying to make every point a teaching point so that our younger guys will be prepared and ready for what’s coming up.”
Stringer and Coleman face the same responsibilities, but the paths leading to their senior seasons are far from similar. Stringer has arguably been LSU’s most consistent player for the past three years, racking up at least 10 points per game each season.
Coleman’s route took him to Howard College in Big Spring, Texas, before he transferred to LSU and became a potent sixth man in 2012. He transitioned from newcomer to senior leader in only a year’s time, but taking the reins is nothing new for the Thibodaux, La., native.
“It hasn’t been that hard for me, because I’ve always been a leader everywhere I’ve been, from high school to junior college to [LSU],” Coleman said. “I feel like last year, I was a bit of a leader on that team, but not as much as this year. Me and Andre, we tell the younger guys what to do, how to do things and what we need to do to win.”
Freshman center Darcy Malone had high praise for the duo and their track record, dubbing them the greatest leaders he’s ever played with.
“They’re seniors, so they’ve already been through everything you could possibly go through,” said freshman guard Tim Quarterman. “They’ve got a lot of knowledge when it comes to the game, and it helps to get us prepared mentally. They’re cool dudes off the court, but they’re about business.”
Stringer and Coleman are well-respected by the underclassmen, but the other LSU veterans hold the pair in high esteem as well. Junior forward Johnny O’Bryant III, a coaches’ First Team All-SEC selection last season, said the seniors don’t hesitate to hold him accountable and push him to perform better in practice.
While former five-star forward Jarell Martin and his fellow freshmen have fascinated the spectators at fall practice, Coleman and Stringer have flown under the radar. But during the parts of practice closed to the media, the seniors are sure to be running the show.
“Coach ran us a little bit [the other day], and we were a little fatigued, but [Coleman and Stringer] stayed on us,” said junior guard Anthony Hickey. “Being a senior, you’ve got to be ready and energized and wanting to win. They’ve been through that war already, so it’s a big help.”