SEC report | NCAA Tournament Report

SportsLine.com Report
June 21, 2000

A glance at 2001

Normally, you'd look at a program with LSU's youth and talent and think the sky is the limit. And it just might be . . . but why would any recruit want to come to Baton Rouge when the coach spends a good portion of time talking about how tough the NCAA makes it for him to win?

Note to John Brady -- the program did the crime, the program will do the crime. Get over it.

That said, Brady has shown what he can do despite his scholarship limitations. The guy can coach, and assistant Kermit Davis Jr. is one of the slickest recruiting critters in the nation. With Stromile Swift definitely headed to the NBA, Davis' recruiting prowess will be put to the test as he tries to unearth a replacement.

Who's back

Everyone's back but Jabari Smith and wift. Brad Bridgewater, a seldom-used sophomore who has represented himself well, will be counted on to play center. He's strong, but is just 6-8. With Swift gone, Ronald Dupree has to step into the strong-forward spot, or LSU might go small and go back to the motion offense that Brady forged his career on.

Who's gone

Smith, the 6-11 senior center who was a fan favorite for his bubbly personality and Julius Erving-like moves in the open court, was the team's only senior. The loss of Swift to the NBA leaves the Tigers looking for answers on the low block.

Key newcomers

LSU can only sign one player, and that's Jumichael Young of Hammond, La., a top-notch recruit but not yet an academic qualifier. LSU expects to have another player or two walk on, courtesy of TOPS, a program in Louisiana that allows good students to stay in state tuition free.