As the NCAA declared that winter basketball will return Nov. 25, LSU basketball fans took another sigh of relief as sports and recreations seem to go back to normal in post-COVID-19. However, the sigh of relief was soon caught by feelings of anxiety as to what awaits for these Tigers.
The University now holds three vacant spots as Skylar Mays, Emmitt Williams and Marlon Taylor leave for the NBA Draft. They lose two of their top three leading scorers in Mays and Williams and will now look to junior point guard, Javonte Smart’s ring-leader of the team. Smart will soon have to fit inside the shadow of previous offensive juggernauts like Mays and Tremont Waters, and possibly exceed that shadow, as the new offensive star, alongside notable returners like star-freshman Trendon Watford, senior shooting guard Charles Manning Jr. and junior forward Darius Days. 
These players will lead the charge as four of the five starters with help from key recruits– most notably five-star shooting guard Cameron Thomas, who is expected to replace a piece of the hole left by Mays. Other incoming players assisting the squad include four-star small forward Mwani Wilkinson, four-star guard Eric Gaines, Louisiana native Jalen Cook and the son to one of the kings of LSU Basketball, junior transfer Shareef O’Neal.
O’Neal announced his intent to transfer to his father’s Alma Mater earlier this year after a lackluster sophomore season at UCLA. O’Neal dealt with a heart condition his freshman year which had a possible carryover into his sophomore season where he averaged a measly 2.2 points per game. His capabilities as a slasher, rebounder and finisher make him a viable option as an upgrade to the now-graduated Taylor. However, his shooting is much to be desired as a self-proclaimed stretch big.
The starting lineup looks to be Watford at the center with a possible stretch big role if he can start hitting consistent Karl-Anthony-Towns-type three-pointers. Watford ended his freshman campaign shooting 48.9% from the field but a measly 26.9% from beyond the arc. No matter if his stats get better or stay the same, he is expected to be the premier center with the absence of Williams.
Depending on if O’Neal becomes the true fifth starter for the team, he could eventually find his way as the center. However, this hypothetical only works if his aggression in slashing the basket can translate to learning competitive post moves around the goal. O’Neal could see himself as the starting power forward with Days starting at small forward, making a lineup of forwards all 6 feet 9 inches and above. However, it seems more than likely he will be playing behind Days at power forward during the early part of the season if freshman shooting guard Thomas becomes the starter day one.
With a taller lineup down low, Manning Jr.’s options outside of shooting guard become limited. Playing small forward looks absurd on paper as O’Neil, Days and Wilkinson could all run the position too. For the beginning of the season, Manning Jr. has the spotlight at shooting guard and will keep it throughout the year. But with height advantages all around, he should not be seeing any other spots on the court.
Smart is leading the charge and the offense at point guard with little discussion. The only time he will not be at point guard is if Cook becomes an unstoppable distributer, allowing Smart to open the floor up with his scoring prowess or if Smart is on the bench for a quick break. Gaines should provide more bench depth in spurts with Cook, but for the majority of the time, Smart will be playing close to the whole game anyway.
“I think you’ve got that perfect mix to make a run nationally, which is ultimately what you want to do,” Wade said in an interview in May.
This season will be Wade’s fourth, with the Tigers coming off of back-to-back 20-win seasons. Although his optimism is rightfully placed in his high-ceiling players, a national title run this year seems unlikely. LSU was expected to be one of the eighth seeds in the March Madness Tournament earlier this year before its cancellation, according to a prediction made by Sports Illustrated.
Realistically, the Tigers look for another run at getting past the Sweet Sixteen in the tournament. If this same team comes back in the 2021-2022 winter season with a few additions to the bench relievers, this team could see a chance to compete at the national level.

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Aurianna Cordero

LSU basketball meet on the court during the Tigers' 82-78 win over the Mizzou Tigers on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2020, in the PMAC.