Comments on The Basketball Notebook: If It Weren't For Bad Luck. . . .

As an OSU grad who watched the entire LSU-OSU game...

2006-01-22T22:27:00.000-06:00

As an OSU grad who watched the entire LSU-OSU game, I can say without reservation that the Tigers positively gacked that game away. OSU has played their fair share of tight ones thus far, but that's the only one that I honestly felt they should've lost. LSU exploited OSU's main weakness (defensive rebounding) for all it was worth - they MURDERED OSU on the offensive glass. But, as someone said already, when it got down to crunch time they kinda tried to take the air out of the ball and stopped attacking, and the fact that they have a gaping chasm where a PG should be greatly aided OSU's comeback. Also, I think LSU has 4 or 5 freshmen who play prominent roles; losing so many close games in the first half of their first college season seems like a natural result. But yes, they are talented.

Thank you for the positive outlook on LSU. I made...

2006-01-20T04:36:00.000-06:00

Thank you for the positive outlook on LSU. I made my 2006 Final Four predictions last April, right after the 2005 NCAA tournament ended: Duke, Texas, Villanova, and LSU. Then they lost Brandon Bass to the NBA draft and got dragged down by the sucky SEC.

In other words, LSU was starting to make me look like an idiot. I certainly hope they can turn things around, and at least have a respectable postseason.

Remember, too, the Tigers have lost by a combined ...

2006-01-18T20:49:00.000-06:00

Remember, too, the Tigers have lost by a combined 51 points in their last three tournament games (vs. Wisconsin, '00, vs. Purdue, '03, vs. UAB, '05). It's hard to have a lot of faith in Brady's ability to get his team ready for the NCAAs when they came out against UAB and dribbled straight into the press and jacked up three after quick three.

Good point. I suppose I did leave out some import...

2006-01-17T09:02:00.000-06:00

Good point. I suppose I did leave out some important facts, such as those you mentioned. LSU's offense turns the ball over with frightening regularity, and three point baskets are a rarity for them, so guard play is their biggest concern.

I think your general premise is right - close game...

2006-01-17T08:34:00.000-06:00

I think your general premise is right - close games are a matter of luck that equalize over time. But in LSU's case, the fact that they have a huge hole at the point guard position has really hurt them in these games. Against Ohio State in particular, they just failed to execute any semblance of an offense in the last five minutes. LSU is a good team, and will probably get a good seed in the tournament because their schedule will look good and they'll have a good looking record after SEC play. But they'll be a candidate for an upset at the hands of a team with good guard play who can execute in crunch time.