In former LSU coach Trent Johnson’s first year at the helm, the Tiger basketball team raced out to an 8-0 start en route to a regular season Southeastern Conference title.
Johnny Jones is doing his best to replicate that.
Jones has his first Tiger team sitting at 5-0 after a thrilling 72-67 victory against Seton Hall on Thursday in the Big East-SEC Challenge, where it overcame a 16-point second half deficit.
After facing four non-BCS teams that some considered lowly to begin his tenure, Jones said Thursday’s contest will serve as a benchmark going forward.
“It’s really great for me because it’s something that I can really point to, regardless of what night it is,” Jones said. “We’ll look back on this night, the position that we were in and the opportunities that we had.”
Bringing an up-tempo offense to Baton Rouge, Jones has given the Tigers more freedom to launch the outside shot – something desperately needed with such an undersized team.
“I think with their style of play, the way that they’ve embraced it, our fans have been good,” Jones said.
The Tigers have gotten a spark from junior college transfer Shavon Coleman, who leads the Tigers in scoring while coming off the bench.
Standing only 6-foot-5, Coleman is tasked with playing out of his usual wing position in the post against taller, bigger competition.
“At practice, I guard [7-foot-3 senior center] Andrew [Del Piero] and [6-foot-9 sophomore forward] Johnny [O’Bryant III], and I try to work my way through,” Coleman said. “I just have to get tougher and play through that.”
Coleman and O’Bryant pace the Tigers offensively through five games, as Coleman leads the team with 17.4 points per game and O’Bryant behind him chipping in 12.5.
Sophomore guard Anthony Hickey has overcome off-court issues to anchor the Tiger perimeter, where he averages 5.2 assists per game and 4.4 steals.
Suspended during the Tigers’ exhibition win against Arkansas-Monticello and held out of the starting lineup against Mississippi Valley State for what Jones termed “not taking care of his business off the court,” Hickey said the adversity has only drawn him closer to his team.
“Everybody makes mistakes,” Hickey said. “People are going to say what they want to say, but my teammates have my back. That’s all I need is my teammates.”
O’Bryant shook off an early-season calf strain to come alive in the last two Tiger victories, registering double-doubles in both contests.
Jones praised both Coleman and junior guard Andre Stringer as sparkplugs off the bench, calling them both “capable of being starters” and praising their willingness to sacrifice minutes for the team.
“I’m hopeful that they can continue playing that way and still continuing that attitude that they’ve had when they come in the game because both of them are impact players and difference makers,” Jones said. “I’ve been really pleased with both.”
This season has also seen the emergence of Del Piero, a former walk-on whom Jones awarded a scholarship before the season.
Known as “Tuba” because of his former stint with the Golden Band from Tigerland, Del Piero has set career-highs in points, minutes played and rebounds in the first five games, earning his first career start Saturday against the Pirates.
“It’s because of his play and how he’s performed and what he’s been able to do in the games that earned him the opportunity [to start],” Jones said. “I’m so happy for him.”
The Tigers will look to keep the momentum as they take on Chattanooga on Dec. 11 in the PMAC, before making a three-game road trip.
LSU sophomore guard Anthony Hickey (1) moves past Seton Hall guard Aaron Cosby (1) to make a shot Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, during the Tigers' 72-67 victory against the Pirates in the PMAC.
