2022 Record: 14-19 (2-16)

Head Coach: Matt McMahon (Career Record 168-86) (LSU Record 14-19)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Jalen Cook (Tulane 19.9 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 4.4 Ast) (Double Transfer, Waiver TBA)

SG: Carlos Stewart (Santa Clara 15.2 Pts, 2.4 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

SF: Jordan Wright (Vanderbilt 10.6 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 2.1 Ast)

PF: Derek Fountain (8.0 Pts, 5.5 Reb, 0.8 Ast)

C: Will Baker (Nevada 13.6 Pts, 5.2 Reb, 0.8 Ast)

6: PG Trae Hannibal (6.8 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 2.3 Ast)

7: C Daimion Collins (Kentucky 1.9 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 0.2 Ast)

8: PF Jalen Reed (3.7 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 0.4 Ast)

9: SF Tyrell Ward (3.7 Pts, 1.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast)

10: PF Hunter Dean (George Washington 8.7 Pts, 6.1 Reb, 1.1 Ast)

11: SF Mwani Wilkinson (2.6 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.8 Ast)

12: PF Corey Chest

13: PG Mike Williams III

The only returning starter for LSU this season is big man Derek Fountain. He made huge strides from his sophomore season at Mississippi State to his first season with LSU last year. He developed into a reliable starter at the PF position. He rebounds at a high level and finishes around the rim really well too. He has a chance to average double figures this upcoming season. Another returning to the Tigers next season is guard Trae Hannibal who was one of the players that followed Matt McMahon from Murray State to LSU. Hannibal is very good on the defensive end of the ball. He also rebounds really well for his size and has great court vision.

Additional returners for LSU next season are Mwani Wilkinson, Jalen Reed, and Tyrell Ward. Wilkinson is entering his senior season with LSU. He’s been a spot starter at times with the Tigers in his LSU career. His minutes went down once McMahon got the job, but Wilkinson can still be a shooter off the bench for LSU this upcoming season. Jalen Reed really impressed at times in his LSU debut season. The former Florida signee really didn’t get the chance to show all that he can do, but he is a candidate for a possible breakout season in Baton Rouge this year. Tyrell Ward opted to go to LSU after being released from his NLI to Xavier. Ward was a very highly ranked recruit as he was a 5 star for awhile ultimately being bumped down to a high 4 star, he still is a top 35 recruit, He’s another player to look out for to have a big jump in production this upcoming season. LSU also signed freshman PF Corey Chest ranked #97 in the 247 sports rankings. Also signing with the Tigers is PG Mike Williams III ranked #119 in the 247 sports rankings.

LSU also was aggressive in the portal this offseason as they had to fill many voids that they lost. One of the biggest additions LSU made this offseason was guard Jalen Cook from Tulane. Cook averaged 20PPG and 5APG this past season at Tulane. He is a high volume scorer that is also a fantastic passer possessing great court vision. He will have no problem adjusting to the higher level of competition he’ll see in the SEC next season. Cook previously played for LSU as a freshman and is now returning as a senior. He likely will need a waiver to play since he’s a double transfer. LSU also signed Santa Clara guard transfer Carlos Stewart who is returning to his hometown of Baton Rouge this upcoming season. Stewart, like Cook, is a very good three point shooter. Stewart is also very talented on the defensive end. He can be a high volume scorer as well but won’t need to be relied on heavily and could take on more of an off ball role next season.

LSU also added interconference SEC transfers Jordan Wright from Vanderbilt and Daimion Collins from Kentucky. Jordan Wright like Carlos Stewart is also returning back to his hometown of Baton Rouge for his final season of CBB. Stewart and Wright were even former high school teammates. Wright gives the Tigers another offensive threat who has previously scored double figures in the SEC. He will also add value to the team on the defensive side of the ball. Daimion Collins adds depth to the frontcourt for the Tigers this upcoming season. He played sparingly in his 2 season with Kentucky, but he does still have a ton of potential and could surprise many this season at LSU. Collins is a former Top 15 player in the country in the 2021 class and he’s also a former 5 star.

LSU finally added big men transfers Hunter Dean from George Washington and Will Baker from Nevada. Hunter Dean adds depth to the frontcourt for the Tigers, but he is still towards the bottom of the depth chart. Dean finishes well around the rim and bring a ton of experience to Baton Rouge. Dean averaged 9PPG and 6RPG this past season at GW. Will Baker was a big get for LSU. Baker slots right into the starting center position adding tremendous value. He also has big shoes to fill as he will be sliding into the spot where KJ Williams was last season. Baker is an extremely gifted offensive player. He has the ability to score on all three levels as a 7 footer. He also does a solid job cleaning up the glass as he averaged over 5 rebounds per game last season.

LSU needs to make massive gains next season as they only won 14 total games and 2 conference games last season. They added some very talented players in the transfer portal this offseason that will attempt to turnaround the team and make them a possible tournament contender. With so many new faces on the team this year, it will be interesting to see how their chemistry comes together. LSU should be much improved this upcoming season and will project around 7th-10th in the SEC conference. They have a chance to slip into NCAA Tournament bubble conversation, but they should at the least have an NIT roster next season.