With the regular season completed and the Southeastern Conference Tournament beginning Wednesday, men’s basketball beat writers David Gray and James Bewers, along with columnist Brian Pellerin, look back on the season to award players for their skills.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Bewers: Keith Hornsby, junior guard
There’s no question sophomore forward Jarell Martin is the best player on the team. Even though a strong case could be made that Martin’s counterpart, sophomore forward Jordan Mickey, was a candidate for SEC Player of the Year at certain points this season, Hornsby has been the most valuable to the Tigers.
He stepped in after a year of ineligibility and provided a sense of consistency this young team needed. His experience as a transfer from UNC-Asheville is noticeable, and LSU coach Johnny Jones trusts him with the ball down the stretch, as evidenced by his game-winner against Arkansas on Saturday. LSU isn’t an NCAA Tournament team without Hornsby.
Gray: Jarell Martin, sophomore forward
MVPs come through when their team needs them most, and LSU’s win against No. 18 Arkansas on Saturday left no doubt — Martin is the best and most valuable player for the Tigers.
Playing without an injured Mickey, Martin may have saved LSU’s NCAA Tournament chances. He played all 40 minutes and exploded for 27 points against one of the nation’s top forwards, Arkansas sophomore Bobby Portis. With nearly every recent game being a must-win for LSU, Martin raised his level of play, averaging 19.6 points on 61.9 percent shooting in his last eight appearances. That’s what an MVP does.
Plus, who can forget his between-the-legs slam against Florida?
Pellerin: Jarell Martin, sophomore forward
All season, this title seemed to be Mickey’s to lose, but I didn’t expect Martin to play the way he has during SEC action. Against in-conference foes, Martin leads the team in scoring with just more than 16 points per game while also averaging about nine rebounds. Add the windmill jam he threw down against Texas Tech and the between-the-legs slam against Florida, and there’s no way he doesn’t get my vote. He’s just too much fun to watch.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Bewers: Tim Quarterman, sophomore guard
Ask anybody who watched LSU last season what their thoughts on Quarterman were before this season began. They’ll probably tell you that he was too erratic for point guard and wasn’t accurate enough to play shooting guard. But a season can change a lot.
Quarterman’s role went from the Energizer bunny off the bench to starting point guard midway through SEC play. He’s showed athleticism and poise commanding the offense while improving his shooting stroke significantly. Quarterman improved his field goal percentage by 16 percent from last season and averages almost six assists in the nine games he’s started. Oh, and he recorded the first triple-double in more than 20 seasons of LSU basketball. 
Gray: Jalyn Patterson, freshman guard
This vote was originally going to Quarterman, but things changed after Patterson’s career performance against Arkansas on Saturday.
With the Tigers’ season on the line, Patterson became a star before our eyes, scoring a career-high 20 points and draining six of the Tigers’ nine 3-pointers. Since Patterson became a fixture in LSU’s lineup, he’s provided a steady blend of poise and fearlessness, which are rare qualities for a true freshman not playing for No. 1 Kentucky. No matter how this season ends, one thing is sure — Patterson and No. 1 recruit and former Montverde teammate Ben Simmons will be fun to watch next year.
Pellerin: Jarell Martin, sophomore forward
Martin entered the season as the second best player on the team, which is typically the same kind of “voter fatigue” that costs LeBron the MVP every season. But the Baton Rouge native’s progression is obvious. He was a slightly above-average player at best last season, probably because he spent most of his time on the wing, which is not right for his game. This year, he has the potential to be a superstar any time he touches the court. He’s developed into an impressive stretch forward with a respectable jumpshot.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bewers: Tim Quarterman, sophomore guard
The shot-blocking Mickey is the obvious choice, but Quarterman is far too annoying as a defender to overlook. He’s the kid you play pick-up basketball with who plays too hard on defense and makes it no fun. If the opponent’s best player is in the backcourt, Jones gives that assignment to Quarterman. With a team-leading 43 steals, he’s incredibly aggressive with his hands and moves his feet well from sideline to sideline whether he is on or off the ball handler. If your scoring guard is facing Quarterman, prepare for few points.
Gray: Jordan Mickey, sophomore forward
There are a few Tigers deserving of this award, but it would be a travesty if it didn’t go to Mickey, the nation’s shot-blocking king. Despite not playing the regular season finale on Saturday, Mickey finished with an NCAA-leading 106 rejections, making him the second player in LSU history with back-to-back, 100-block seasons. The other was former Tiger great Shaquille O’Neal.
Any time you’re mentioned in the same sentence as Shaq, unless it pertains to free throws, you’re doing something right and deserve recognition. Whenever players drive to the paint, they always look over their shoulder for Mickey. That’s fear.
Pellerin: Jordan Mickey, sophomore forward
This one is easy. Last year, Mickey became the only player not named Shaquille O’Neal to record more than 100 blocks in a single-season when he posted 106 as a freshman. Wouldn’t you know, he matched that total with another 106 rejections this year. Impressive for a guy who doesn’t have the build to physically dominate the paint. Instead, he stalks his prey, letting them slip into the lane, and when they think they’ve got two points, he swats it away. He’s a rejection artist.
BEST NEWCOMER
Bewers: Jalyn Patterson, freshman guard
Much like Hornsby, Patterson provides a consistency LSU needs, and he does it as a rookie. He may not score in waves every game, but he rarely takes a bad shot and is a similar defender to Quarterman. After an early struggle with confidence, Patterson began to trust his ability and hit big shot after big shot.
But what I like most is his fearlessness. Patterson isn’t afraid to drive to the basket and use his athleticism to convert contested layups or kick it to a post player when needed. Patterson is just a cool customer under pressure.
Gray: Keith Hornsby, junior guard
Few knew what to expect from Hornsby entering this season, but the former UNC-Asheville product shined throughout his debut year at LSU. Hornsby scored 13.2 points per game this season and played an SEC-high 1,093 minutes. He also shot 39 percent from deep, draining a team-high 67. Of course, no shot was bigger than Hornsby’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to topple Arkansas on Saturday. It was a microcosm of his season — Hornsby missed his first three attempts from deep but didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger with the game on the line, and he may have sent LSU into the NCAA Tournament.
Pellerin: Keith Hornsby, junior guard
Finally, I give some love to the backcourt. After sitting out last season because of transfer rules, Hornsby has been the hardest worker on the court for LSU this year. He dives for loose balls, hustles for long rebounds and plays scrappy defense. When a 3-pointer leaves his hands, I believe it’s going in. That smooth stroke from outside is vital when the Tigers aren’t clicking. He’s been a spark plug on both ends of the court.
You can reach the writers on Twitter @JamesBewers_TDR, @dgray_TDR and @Pellerin_TDR.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Javier Fernández

LSU junior guard Keith Hornsby (4) dribbles during the Tiger's against Tennessee on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.