Things seem to be falling into place for head coach John Brady’s LSU basketball team. For the past two seasons, the Tigers have had a noticeable lack of depth that hurt them in the latter stages of games.
LSU also has had to rely too heavily on its guards to control the game, because it only had one player at least 6-foot-9. But it seems that has all changed.
The Tigers finally got over the probation bug and had a full cabinet of scholarships to offer during the offseason. One of those scholarships was signed by the National Junior College Player of the Year, Jaime Lloreda (Hy’-mee Yo-ray’-da).
“Lloreda brings toughness and skill,” said senior forward Ronald Dupree. “I think he is the most skilled post man we’ve had since Jabari [Smith] and Stromile [Swift in 2000]. Once he gets adjusted to the speed of this league and practices every day, he’s going to make a huge impact.”
Last season, Lloreda led Dixie State College in Utah to a 34-3 record and the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship behind his 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. During the past two seasons, Lloreda led the Rebels to a 69-5 overall record and was named NJCAA All-American twice.
“I don’t know if I expect to make the same impact here,” Lloreda said. “But, I expect to win the same.”
The 6-foot-9 forward originally is from Panama, explaining the difference in the pronunciation of his name. English is his second language, and sometimes he uses the language barrier to his advantage.
“I haven’t had any trouble at understanding him,” Brady said. “He acts like he doesn’t know what I’m saying, but he knows a lot more than he lets on.”
Lloreda agreed.
“I act like I don’t understand what he says just to get a break,” Lloreda said. “You’ve got to be smart. I ask him to repeat what he says so I can rest better.”
Despite sneaking in rests between plays, Lloreda feels he is benefitting from being in Baton Rouge.
“I like it here,” he said. “Baton Rouge is beautiful, and [Brady] is a good coach. He teaches me how to improve my game so that I can get better.”
Lloreda is not the only post player who will make his LSU debut this season. Shawnson Johnson gained his eligibility, and his 6-foot-9 presence drastically will help the Tigers’ inside game this season.
The person who perhaps is the happiest with the addition of the big men is senior Brad Bridgewater, who was forced to occupy the middle last season with little help from the bench.
“We have four new guys in the paint this season,” Bridgewater said with a smile. “I can come out now instead of having to play tired.”
With Lloreda, Johnson and Bridgewater all expected to contribute to the team, Dupree will move from the post, where he has been forced to play during the past two years, back to the outside.
“I knew we were going to have added depth this season,” Dupree said. “That was one of the main reasons I came back [for my senior season]. I had to learn how to be comfortable in the post over the last few years, but the perimeter is my natural position.”
Dupree said teams no longer can afford to concentrate on stopping the Tiger guards and will be forced to pay attention to the post players, which will open up everything on offense.
“I’m pleased with how the new guys have adapted to the physical play of the game,” Brady said. “We didn’t sign them so we could stay where we were, we signed them to get better.”
LSU finished the 2002 season with a 19-15 record and an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament, where it was eliminated in the second round by Ball State.
The Tigers have an optimistic outlook on the upcoming season — something they have not had in seasons past.
“We’ve got great talent and depth at every position,” Bridgewater said. “If we play to the best of our ability… I’m not promising a championship, but it’s going to a great season.”