BATON ROUGE — The LSU purple and gold squads ended in a 46-46 tie after some 35 minutes of play Wednesday night in the public’s first look at the 2009-10 LSU men’s basketball team at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Senior Tasmin Mitchell hit two free throws in the final minute to give the Gold team a 46-43 but the Purple team was able to tie it on a three-pointer by Dennis Harris. Neither team could break the tie as Chris Bass missed a three for the Gold and Bo Spencer missed a jumper for the purple team as time ran out.
Mitchell led the Gold team with 20 points, while Garrett Green, out last year with a bad back, had 11 points. Spencer led the Purple team with 21 points. Mitchell and Storm Warren led the LSU players with eight rebounds each.
The Gold team was never able to break away with the Gold’s largest lead by eight points in the first half and the Purple’s biggest lead was when it scored the first two points of the game. There were six ties and 11 lead changes.
LSU will open the 2009-10 season on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Maravich Center against Louisiana-Monroe.
Season tickets and mini-plans are now on sale online at LSUsports.net and at the LSU Athletics Ticket Office. Non-conference single game tickets, including for the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Nov. 16 and 17, go on sale this coming Monday, Nov. 2.
LSU HEAD COACH TRENT JOHNSON
Opening statement …
“All in all, I thought we got something done. It was good for them to get up and down the court, acknowledge our fans and thank them for the support. We got through injury free. Obviously, we got a lot of open shots with good execution. It is hard for me right now to evaluate the defensive part of it because when you go up against yourselves, the guys know the plays, so sometimes they have a tendency to cheat. For the most part, from where I was sitting, I thought we got a lot of open shots that didn’t go down for us. We have a ways to go, but for me, I was pleased with the effort. When I say effort, I know everyone saw this group last year and wants to make comparisons to last year’s team running up and down more fluidly. Well, this is how we are going to have to play to be successful. We have to keep the game on the half court, execute and utilize the shot clock with good shots. Turnover wise, there were some things out there that weren’t very good, but all in all, it was a good start for us considering it was the first time for a lot of guys under the lights with fans in the stands.”
On Garrett Green getting to play …
“One of the things that he’s got to understand is that he hasn’t been out there for a year and half. Right now, as a player and a person, every time he goes up and down the floor, he wants the ball. He’s got to adjust to being in the team concept and make sure he understands what we are doing. For the most part, I’m very pleased. He was out there a full 30 minutes and didn’t get into foul trouble. There is no pain, so that is a good thing for us.”
On if anyone stood out during the game …
“The guy not playing this year, Malcolm White. He came in the game right away, and made the game look easy in terms of making two put-backs, but for the most part, I thought he stood out considering the fact that he sat there and adjusted to a new system. For him to come out in a new system, in a new environment, not make many mistakes and make some plays, I though t he stood out. This year we don’t have anyone that has the wow factor. Tasmin (Mitchell) is very methodical. When he is in rhythm, he is going to make plays and shots, and it’s likewise with Bo (Spencer).”
On Bo Spencer‘s shot after his wrist injury …
“The thing I’m evaluating is his that his follow through looked good, and his stamina looked good. Bo has a very good temperament and demeanor about him in terms of how we want to play this year. He is always under control and sometimes I want him to force the issue, but in terms of his shot, I thought it was ok.”
Guard Bo Spencer
On how his wrist felt …
“My wrist felt good. I know it still hurts and I was a little leery about falling on it, but it is coming back full speed and my shot looks like it is getting right back where it was.”
On the differences between this year’s team and last year’s…
“We are not as good as we were last year. We can be, but we are not right now because of the lack of experience. But as you can see out there, everyone plays hard, everyone wants to get better and everyone is learning their role. We are going to come out, keep working hard and try and get a championship like we did last year.”
On which young players have impressed him so far …
“I really like Aaron Dotson‘s game. He has a great IQ and he is knowledgeable at the game. Eddie Ludwig is stepping it up and learning his role. Garrett Green, even though he was out a year and a half with his back, is looking like he is back up to speed. Everyone is really starting to learn their role and step up.”
Forward Tasmin Mitchell
On how the scrimmage went …
“I thought it was very productive. We came out and competed against each other. We got a lot done and saw a lot of things, both good and bad, but we got a lot done.”
On which young players have impressed him so far …
“Aaron Dotson is really knowledgeable about the game and he is catching on at a steady pace. The SEC is nothing to play with. This is not high school and he is not in Seattle anymore but I like his game. Eddie Ludwig is getting better and he is just getting into the flow and the speed of the game. It is also good to have Garrett Green back.”
On how Garrett Green and Dennis Harris played …
“Garrett Green looked really good for someone who was out for a year and half with back problems. He really took control of his advantage. Dennis is really coming along. Coach is really working with him and he has to get up to the speed of the game. He has to slow down a little and take what the defense gives him but he is going to be alright. I really like his game.”