Turnovers are part of the game, but it’s a part the LSU basketball team hopes to eliminate.
The Tigers are looking to improve in that area by focusing on ball security. LSU averaged 13.6 turnovers per game during the 2013-14 season, which was 12th worst in the Southeastern Conference and placed the Tigers in the bottom fourth of the NCAA.
LSU had a total of 464 turnovers last season, and sophomore forward Jarell Martin said a reason for the struggles was the lack of communication on the floor.
“I feel like there was less communication out there on the floor [last year], and it definitely hurt us,” Martin said. “It would definitely help us cut down on turnovers, and it’ll help make turnovers for the other teams. Being vocal out there and having each other’s backs will definitely help.”
Martin said LSU coach Johnny Jones and his staff, especially new associate coach Eric Musselman, harped on the lack of communication on last year’s team. 
Musselman, a former NBA head coach whom Jones hired in June, has made a quick impact in his short time with the team. 
LSU sophomore forward Jordan Mickey said throughout the first week of organized practice, Musselman has focused on making sure players are always in their right spots, communicating and keeping the floor spaced, keying in on making the team more efficient.
“He always helps with terminology, getting guys in the right spots,” Mickey said. “He’s always talking about spacing, so he’s a great tool to have with us. We got to keep the floor spaced and don’t get so close together. That’ll definitely help us out this year, so it’ll help us out in the long run.”
The Tigers roster has an inexperienced projected starting five, with junior college transfer Josh Gray, UNC-Asheville transfer Keith Hornsby and freshman Elbert Robinson III. With the regular season approaching, the unfamiliarity with each other and the offense raises the concern of chemistry.
But Hornsby said throughout the offseason, the team has worked endlessly to ensure its chemistry isn’t lacking once the opening tip-off comes around.
“The biggest thing for stopping turnovers is just playing pickup with each other,” Hornsby said. “Obviously, pickup can be relatively sloppy, but for the most part we try to keep it really competitive and game-like. We did that a lot over the summer with really good players as well with guys who came back and played with us, and that helped the competition. So since we’re all confident, that’ll all help us stop turnovers.”
Hornsby said a key to eliminating turnovers is chemistry. Playing with his teammates as much as possible and learning each others’ games is crucial to create a mental connection without even needing to look at them, he said.
Mickey and Martin noticed the new players on the team are learning quickly and working hard, giving them much to feel good about in terms of chemistry heading into the season.
“They’re learning pretty quick. They’re going out there and they’re battling hard,” Martin said. “They definitely came in playing like upperclassmen. They’re not playing like freshmen out there. They pay attention and they listen. They just work hard.”
The team’s hardworking off season has the coaching staff challenging players in practice to cut down on turnovers. The coaches discipline the team whenever the ball is poorly handled, so turnovers will be a non-issue when the season begins Nov. 15.
“In practice, if we have a turnover, we do push ups or we run for it, and that’s instilling discipline in us that relates in the game,” Gray said. “In the game, we won’t have turnovers because we’re paying the price for it in practice.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.