HOOVER, Ala. – LSU Coach Trent Johnson met the media Wednesday at the annual SEC Basketball Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel with an eye to the future and as little as possible remembrance of the past season.
Johnson and his team has concluded a week of practice and he discussed differences between last year and this year, while meeting with writers from throughout the SEC and television partners ESPN, ESPNU, FSN, SEC Weekly and CSS. For the first time as well, every member of the basketball group appeared online live at SECsports.com when they appeared in the SEC Digital Network room.
LSU transfer forward Malcolm White joined Johnson on the trip discussing his thoughts after practicing last year as a transfer to LSU.
The media day event in which all 12 schools and both men and women’s programs took part, truly sets the countdown clock toward opening night which for the LSU men is Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center against Northwestern State.
Season ticket and two four-game mini-plans are available at LSUtix.net. The latest on LSU basketball is available on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LSUbasketball and on twitter @LSUbasketball and @LSUCoachJohnson.
Here are some of the comments courtesy of the SEC Media Relations Office from today’s media day session:
LSU Coach Trent Johnson
On what he learned through LSU’s struggles last year
“I learned the thing I already knew: that I don’t like losing. I just don’t like being in that situation. But, again, it would be different if I was younger, but you knew we weren’t going to be as good just because of the nucleus that we lost. The thing that was frustrating is, it was unexpected going into a situation with the new members and team that we had. Then we had some other issues along the way. You know its part of it. It’s been well documented across the country, some of the teams, whether it is UCLA or North Carolina. The talent level they lost, what they lost, but still they had a bunch of guys on their rosters that were highly recruited players, All-Americans, and All-so and so forth. I looked at LSU. We were playing with two or three walk-ons at times. It speaks volumes on how those kids were able to fight and battle their way through a lot of things.”
On the impact of the incoming freshman class
“They have to have a big impact in a hurry. I like their skill level. Matt Derenbecker, from Metairie Park Country Day, a lefty. Ralston Turner from Muscle Shoals, Ala. Both of them are six-six, six-seven, and shoot the ball and pass the ball well. (Andre) Stringer when we signed him probably was five-eleven, probably looks like he’s five-five now, but he really shoots with range. I think he has a chance. Those three have a chance to be really, really good players in this league. (Jalen) Courtney, he’s moving to the three now. It’s going to take some time with them just in terms of them being very good SEC players, but the sooner they’re able to adjust to the physical nature of college basketball and how violent they have to be, not just great kids and work hard, but be violent and physical, the better off we’re going to be and the better off they’re going to be.”
On Malcolm White‘s improvement despite being unable to play due to transfer rules
“Well no question, his ability to shoot the mid-range jump shot and he just had more opportunities to go out there and shoot from the fifteen to ten-foot range. He’s very physical and has a very good understanding of the post, but it also is a different system. He was in a dribble drive system at Ole Miss where he was perimeter oriented so he was a rebounder-put back player. So now he’s been in this system where the ball is going to go inside out and it’s going to go to him. So he’s developed and he has an understanding that he needs to score.”
On what he sees as LSU’s biggest team improvement since last year
“Our ability to pass and catch the ball. Pass and catching. You know, last year we had a couple of guys who couldn’t pass and catch it. We’ve got better hands. I think that’s one of the things that’s lost in the game of college basketball. You know I don’t care what their skill level is but can they catch the ball and can they pass it.”
Quotes From LSU Junior Forward Malcolm White:
On his experience red-shirting due to transfer rules
“At first it was frustrating, but at the same time, I really think it was for the best. It was the best decision I had to make and I’m just looking forward to getting on the court this year.”
On his motivation for transferring from Ole Miss to LSU
I’m a Louisiana guy. I’m only forty minutes away from LSU and I’ve always wanted to be a Tiger. I just got an opportunity and I took it. I just wanted to be closer to home and closer to my family.”
On what he can contribute to the team to bring them to a higher level.
“I can bring toughness, commitment, and leadership. I think one of the things I can contribute to others is to initiate the first punch instead of receiving it. If we do that, I think we will be a good successful team in the SEC.”