Trent Johnson said during the SEC Basketball Teleconference on June 27 he believes the LSU basketball team grew stronger during its recent trip to Italy. Each of the twelve SEC schools participated in the teleconference, each allowed a seven-minute interview with the media.
Trent Johnson, LSU head coach, led the Tigers last season to a 3-13 SEC record.
The team completed their Italian tour with an unbeaten 6-0 record against Italian teams.
Johnson said having twelve minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock forced the team to be faster and more aggressive. He said the team became more confident after winning Italian games.
“We had a very productive trip to Italy,” Johnson said. “It put us in situations where we had a little confidence and won some games.”
The SEC recently announced it will drop the east and west divisions in favor of one large 12-team division. Negotiations over the amount of conference games continue, suggestions ranging from 16 to 22 games. The 2011-12 season will remain 16 games long.
“In a perfect situation everybody will be playing each other twice,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he supported the SEC abandoning division play, saying it’s the only way to determine a champion. He compared the new format with current PAC-10 and Big Ten play — which use the no division method — and said ranking teams is the superior method.
Johnson was asked about 2011 recruits during the teleconference. LSU added guard John Isaac, guard Anthony Hickey, who was awarded Mr. Basketball Kentucky, and forward Johnny O’Bryant, who was a McDonald’s All American.
Johnson said the three new players are currently in school, and the staff has limited contact with them.
Johnson also supported the 18-22 game conference schedule. However, he said research is needed — funding for each team varies, so finances may become an issue.
“Everybody is different,” Johnson said. “Not everyone has the mega dollars.”
Johnson was asked for his thoughts on new head coaches in the conference, most notably Mike Anderson of Arkansas and Cuonzo Martin of Tennessee.
Johnson said Anderson is a good fit for Arkansas, a good man who can help the league.
Johnson said he met Martin last summer while recruiting. He said Martin has a solid background and impressive experience.
Full audio recordings of every interview can be heard on SECsports.com.
 
 
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Contact Cameron Warren at [email protected]