LSU basketball is now four days into practice for the upcoming season and players are already starting to feel a difference in their mindset and bodies.
Senior forward Duop Reath, junior guard Brandon Sampson and sophomore guard Skylar Mays are among the returning players to a team that finished 10-21 overall and 2-16 in Southeastern Conference play a year ago.
The addition of coach Will Wade gave the team a much needed cultural shock, one that the players feel will be beneficial.
The biggest difference Reath has noticed about Wade’s coaching style is the attention to detail.
“Every little thing matters to him,” Reath said. “He’s very analytical. Everything that we do affects everybody. If one person is late on something, it affects the whole group.”
Each player had a designated offseason program to come back stronger for this season. Reath played at 225 pounds last season but concentrated on adding weight in the offseason and is now up to 244 pounds.
Mays spent the offseason improving agility to help on the defensive side of the ball.
“I think the defensive end, that was also a big focus this year,” Mays said. “I really want to be that guy that [Wade] depends on to defend the other team’s best player.”
Sampson is expected to spend time running at the two and three spot this season so adding weight was important to be guarding bigger guys.
“I’ve gained 10 pounds,” Sampson said. “I think that’s a good thing because you get those bumps in the SEC.”
Mays is expected to split time at the point and two guard spot with freshman Tremont Waters who is carrying some of the ball handling duties as well.
The six-foot-four Mays had high praise for Waters, and considers him to be a key to LSU’s success this season.
“Tremont is always going to play point guard,” Mays said. “His vision is awesome.Unbelievable passer, he makes everybody better. I think he is going to be a fan favorite this year.”
Wade left an impression with the players last week when he put them through a three day boot camp to test their athleticism. While Reath said boot camp was fun, Sampson had a much stronger reaction.
“Three days of hell,” Sampson said. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life but I think the team can sit here and say they got through it.”
Defense has been the main focus during the first four days of practice. Wade said defense is an area they need to improve in and has spent a significant amount of time on with the team.
“If you’re going to be a championship level team you have to have foundations for what you’re doing,” Wade said. “We have to turn our defense into offense and I think our guys are getting better.”
