One of the few bright spots to be taken from LSU’s seven-game losing streak is freshman forward Anthony Randolph’s performance at Vanderbilt on Saturday. “Anthony Randolph is a great player waiting to happen,” said Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings. The second-best rebounding game by a Southeastern Conference player this season has temporarily stopped criticism of Randolph’s maturity and intensity that has lingered despite his team-leading 8.6 rebounds per game. “That was probably his best effort I’ve ever seen,” said junior guard Garrett Temple. “Against Vanderbilt to have 19 rebounds, and also guard [freshman center A.J.] Ogilvy and fight him the way he did, that’s a real big thing for Anthony as a freshman to come in and do that.” Randolph’s first chance to duplicate his big game in Nashville, Tenn., comes Saturday against Arkansas. But Randolph will have to continue to put together similar games if he wants to silence those comments for good. “My goal for the rest of the season is to continue to rebound well,” Randolph said. “And also to be more consistent on offense.” Randolph is averaging 13.8 points per game, second-best on the team, but LSU coach John Brady is more concerned with Randolph finding consistency on the defensive end. “Six of [his rebounds against Vanderbilt] were offensive rebounds – which is an aggressive stat – but I think if he were really 100 percent committed, he could get 25 [total rebounds],” Brady said. Brady held a press conference Thursday morning asking media and fans to curtail criticism of his team and create the best possible atmosphere for the Tigers to succeed. “I want to ask people to create an environment of support and understanding for them in the last six home games starting Saturday night to help this team because we know exactly where we are,” Brady said. “We know exactly what needs to be done and what has gone on, and nobody hurts more than the players.” LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman also e-mailed a letter to LSU students Thursday afternoon. “What is important is that we throw our full support behind the LSU men’s basketball team as they navigate the difficult Southeastern Conference schedule,” Bertman said in am e-mail. The Razorbacks come to Baton Rouge with one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the SEC. Four Razorbacks average in double-figures led by senior swingman Sonny Weems’ 13.5 points per game. Sophomore guard Patrick Beverley averages 11.7 points per game and also leads the team in rebounds with 5.9 per contest. “It makes it more difficult because any number of guys can score the ball at any particular time or any particular moment,” Brady said.
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Tigers take losing streak into weekend
By Jerit Roser
January 24, 2008