Well, if there wasn’t enough hype already for Ben Simmons and the LSU basketball team, there is now.
At Southeastern Conference Media Day on Wednesday, Simmons was selected as the preseason SEC Player of the Year.
Simmons played during LSU’s trip to Australia, but he is a freshman who has yet to play a meaningful game for the Tigers. He’s just the second freshman ever selected as Preseason Player of the Year by the media, joining former University of Kentucky standout Julius Randle.
The spotlight seems to be shining brighter on him than it was a few days ago, and it was already blinding then.
But it’s not just Simmons who has the hype — the entire LSU basketball team is under the microscope.
LSU was predicted to finish fourth in the SEC by the media, behind Kentucky and talented Vanderbilt University and Texas A&M University teams. LSU fans will be thinking the Tigers can finish higher than fourth in the back of their minds.
The Tigers are ranked No. 19 in the preseason coaches poll. That adds pressure to make the NCAA Tournament and win a game or two, which is never an easy feat.
The expectations are high, but the Tigers must meet them because they have too much talent to fall short of at least the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament, and most likely the Sweet 16.
Simmons is being hailed as a can’t-miss prospect. Freshman guard Antonio Blakeney would be the crown jewel of most LSU basketball recruiting classes but happens to be overshadowed by Simmons this year. Freshman guard Brandon Sampson rounds out the trio of very talented freshman.
Arizona transfer Craig Victor II is another new addition LSU coach Johnny Jones can add to his arsenal, although Victor must sit out until December.
LSU lost Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin to the NBA, but the Tigers returned plenty of key contributors from last season.
Guards Josh Gray, Keith Hornsby, Tim Quarterman and Jalyn Patterson all return. The four accounted for 38.8 points per game last season. Quarterman was selected Second Team All-SEC at Media Day.
Post play is the biggest question mark surrounding the Tigers. If sophomores Aaron Epps, Elbert Robinson III and Victor, and senior center Darcy Malone can provide some sort of presence down low, the Tigers will be tough to beat.
Even if the post play is short of dominant, LSU should be able to contend with most teams.
Simmons is destined to be one of the first names selected at next year’s NBA Draft, so the pressure is on to win this season. LSU has the talent to do it, but it’s time to live up to the hype.
Jack Woods is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.