On Wednesday Night, the LSU Basketball team may have played their final game of the season, getting blown out by Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. This offseason is the most important offseason of the Matt McMahon era as he'll head into next season with the expectations that he needs to show improvement.
The Tigers will be making a massive investment into the program as LSU has committed to bringing massive changes to the amount of NIL money the Tigers are pouring into the program. This offseason, Matt McMahon will look to bring in a massive transfer portal class to suppliment the solid recruiting class he brought in to build a roster that can compete in the SEC.
Ahead of the offseason, here's a look at LSU's roster from what's going out of the program, what's coming in, and which players have a decision to make.
What's Going Out:
The LSU Basketball team will lose four key pieces of the team as they just concluded their Senior seasons.
Cam Carter - Shooting Guard
There's no bigger loss for LSU than losing starting shooting guard Cam Carter who has been incredible for the LSU Tigers this season. Carter is averaging 16.8 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, and 2.6 assists per game. Cam Carter has been the engine of the Tigers with the scoring ability to single-handedly keep LSU in games and in the case of the Oklahoma game win it on his own.
Jordan Sears - Point Guard
Jordan Sears has had a rough final stretch of SEC Play but, in the first half of conference play he was leading the team right alongside Cam Carter. Sears hasn't had the year shooting the three Matt McMahon and his staff likely envisioned but, LSU loses an experienced veteran scorer that will be tough to replace.
Dji Bailey - Small Forward
Dji Bailey has been an underrated piece for LSU this season as he's done a bit of everything for the Tigers. Bailey has been a nice piece for LSU on both ends of the court and on a deeper team he'd be more appreciated.
Derek Fountain - Center
This season was a step back for Derek Fountain as his playing time dropped which caused his scoring, rebounding, and defensive stats to fall. Fountain played for LSU for three seasons and college basketball for five seasons.
A Decision to make:
After this season, these four pieces have a decision to make whether its to enter the transfer portal, testing the NBA Draft, or returning to LSU as they either didn't play much, they have what it takes to play in the NBA, or they may have better options elsewhere.
Tyrell Ward - Guard
The Tigers season started off on a rough note when guard Tyrell Ward departed the team after an impressive Sophomore season. Given that Ward spent the year away from the team it's assumed he won't return for the 2025-26 season. Matt McMahon was vague in his statement and until either side gives any clarity Ward's future with LSU remains an unknown.
Daimion Collins - Power Forward
This season, Daimion Collins had some incredible highs and some stretches where he was ineffective for the Tigers. Collins would've had a much better year if Jalen Reed stayed healthy allowing him to play Power Forward but, instead he had to play Center at times. It'll be interesting to see whether Collins returns to LSU or looks elsewhere for a better fit because the talent is there.
Jalen Reed - Center
It was a massive deal for LSU when the Tigers were able to get Jalen Reed back for the 2024-25 season. When Reed was dominant in Non-Conference play the Tigers looked like a team poised to go on a run in SEC Play. LSU then lost Reed to a torn ACL and the Tigers never fully recovered losing their best player inside. Coming off of a torn ACL Reed's draft stock may not be high but, he could also eye the transfer portal. Getting Jalen Reed back would be massive for Matt McMahon as it'd give the Tigers a veteran weapon on the inside.
Noah Boyde - Center
This off-season, Boyde transferred into LSU after coming off of a torn ACL but, never truly found his way into LSU's rotation. Boyde hardly played this season and it'll be interesting to see whether he returns to LSU next season or if he looks for playing time elsewhere.
Should Be Back at LSU:
The transfer portal has added a new twist as LSU and other College Basketball programs could lose key pieces to the transfer portal. As long as LSU doesn't lose any of these players to the transfer portal, they should return to LSU.
Vyctorius Miller - Point Guard
The most promising of LSU's true freshman was point guard Vyctorius Miller who was one of LSU's top scorers as a Freshman. Miller struggled at first to adjust to SEC Play but, as the season progressed, Miller started to find his groove in SEC Play but, an ankle injury cost him the final few games. As long as LSU doesn't lose Miller to the transfer portal he should return to LSU and take a massive leap next season.
Robert Miller - Center
In the final few games of the season, no one showed more promise for LSU than Forward Robert Miller who started to emerge down the stretch. It's tough to adjust to starting at center in the SEC, especially as a Freshman but, when Miller found his rhythm, he became a key piece of LSU's future. Miller could get calls from teams to enter the transfer portal but, as long as LSU gets him back the Tigers have an impact forward to build around.
Curtis Givens - Point Guard
While Curtis Givens didn't have a massive scoring impact for the Tigers this season, he showed a ton to be excited about. Givens was often tasked with running the Tigers' offense which is a massive ask for a Freshman and after a full season, Givens should take a jump. The area you'd like to see Givens take a jump is by being more aggressive becoming a threat on offense.
Mike Williams - Guard
Early on in the season, it came as a surprise as Mike Williams fell out of the rotation as younger guards showed promise. Down the stretch of SEC play, Williams started to become a bigger piece of LSU's rotation showing promise as a natural scorer for LSU. If Williams gets back to the three point shooter he was last season, he'll be a massive piece for Matt McMahon.
Corey Chest - Center
After his Freshman season, Corey Chest took a massive leap jumping to a key role in LSU's rotation. Injuries took Chest out of the lineup down the stretch but, heading into his third season in the program, Chest could grow into being LSU's starting center and an impact player on both ends of the court.
What's Coming In:
As things currently stand, barring any late additions to the recruiting class, Matt McMahon signed three High School recruits in Matt Gilhool, Jalen Reece, and Mazi Mosley. The trio accounts for the Nation's 22nd ranked recruiting class and the 8th ranked class in the SEC.
Jalen Reece - Point Guard
Matt McMahon's crown jewel of his recruiting class is elite four star guard Jalen Reece who's ranked as the 75th ranked player in the Country, the 12th ranked point guard in the class, and the 15th ranked player out of Florida.
Mazi Mosley - Shooting Guard
Matt McMahon dipped back into California pulling Mazi Mosley to LSU nabbing the Nation's 85th ranked player, the 23rd ranked shooting guard, and the 10th ranked player out of California.
Matt Gilhool - Power Forward
The first of the trio to sign with LSU was Power Forward Matt Gilhool who's ranked as the 80th ranked player in the class, the 16th ranked Power Forward, and the top player out of Pennsylvania.
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