Looking For A Sleeper Team In College Basketball This Year? Hold That Tiger, Baby

I know around this here website we like LSU because of Coach O and his Hold that Tiger statement. But, let’s take a moment to appreciate what Will Wade is doing down on the bayou as well. There’s no doubt that LSU is absolutely the sleeper team this year in college hoops and one that will get overlooked, because, well you don’t think of hoops when it comes to LSU.

The Tigers are a top-5 SEC team in the preseason and on paper might be top-3 when you look at the talent they have. The biggest name that LSU has is Tremont Waters, the sophomore point guard who will be on All-American teams before the season starts. Waters was the star last year for LSU as he averaged 16 points and 6 assists per game as a freshman.

Last year, LSU was one of the best offensive teams in the country, finishing the season ranked 33rd in ORtg. They took care of the ball, limiting turnovers – a big credit to Waters and had some impressive wins including a neutral court win over Michigan and a home win over Houston in the nonconference.

Now? They are bringing in an absolutely loaded freshman class. Guys like Naz Reid and Emmit Williams are two of the best players in the class and have the potential to be one-and-dones, especially Reid. Reid, from Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, is a 5-star recruit that leads the way for the No. 4 rated recruiting class on 247. Along with those two you have 4-stars Ja’Vonte Smart and Darius Days and now you bring in a shooter in Aundre Hyatt, who is reclassifying after picking LSU over Rutgers and Seton Hall.

This year’s team will have plenty of depth as they return guys like Skylar Mays and Wayde Sims. However, this is arguably the most talent we’ve seen LSU have since the days of Glen Davis, Garrett Temple, Tyrus Thompson, Tasmin Mitchell and Magnum Rolle.

So if you’re looking for a team outside the traditional top-10 or so, just look at LSU. This is a team that is going to compete for the SEC title and is a darkhorse Final Four pick. Obviously a lot of this is dependent on how Reid/Williams adjust to the college game, but those two with Waters and Mays makes up for some incredible talent.