DALLAS — Saturday gave the media and fans alike to reacquaint with coaches across the LSU spectrum during the Coaches Caravan. Coach Will Wade was in attendance and is fired up about the new season and all the success it could potentially bring.
Improvements
Offensively, Wade sees many more schemes being utilized, due in large part to the diverse length and athleticism this team presents compared to other teams. Last season, the Tigers were a ball screen-oriented team, which hurt them when teams took away that option.
Wade sees more flexibility with motion concepts, high low opportunities and using the numerous big men at their disposal to tire the defense in the paint.
“I think we’re not going to be nearly as reliant on ball screens,” Wade said. “We’ll have two or three counter punches to that, which is good if a particular scheme isn’t working out.”
New players
Part of the reason the hype train has reached maximum capacity this offseason was the influx of new talent Wade and his coaching staff have been able to put together. In total, eight new players have signed on for the 2018 season, including highly touted prospects Naz Reid, Ja’vonte Smart, Emmitt Williams and Darius Days.
Wade brought a PowerPoint for his interview in front of fans today that showcased the range of talent each newcomer brings to the roster.
LSU will also see what big man Kavell Bigby-Williams contributes after sitting out last season because of his transfer from Oregon. Wade was very complimentary of Bigby-Williams and the challenges a lengthier team will have on opposing teams.
“I think the biggest thing that has stood out to me is the improvement in rim protection,” Wade said. “Every shot now in practice is a contested shot. I feel like we have great athletes, and now we just need to polish their skill sets.”
Returning players
Wade said that having Tremont Waters, Skylar Mays, Daryl Edwards and Wayde Sims back in the fold for year two has only helped with the leadership development of the team.
Each one has made significant strides in reinvigorating their bodies, with Wade going as far as to say that Sims “doesn’t look like the same guy.”
“I think what we figured out pretty early on with Tremont is that you can’t do it all by yourself,” Wade said. “It takes a group effort. I think those older guys have an appreciation for that, and that’s why they’ve been so successful in bringing those younger guys along.”
Waters spent this summer under Chris Paul’s tutelage at the CP3 Elite Guard Camp, which Wade said did wonders for his development as both a player and a leader. Waters has worked hard on his defensive instincts, which were already top-notch last season as he led the SEC in steals.
“He sees who he’s competing against [at the CP3 camp] and is able to get some constructive criticism,” Wade said. “Sometimes it’s better to hear it from somebody else instead of me all the time.”