Brady impressed by LSU's versatility

LSU Tigers basketball coach John Brady sounds optimistic about his team this offseason, despite losing Glen "Big Baby" Davis to the NBA.

"We're a good enough shooting team to cause some people some problems," Brady said Monday during the Southeastern Conference's summer basketball teleconference. "We have some versatility with this team.

"The two biggest concerns for me are defending around the goal and the ability to rebound the ball."

The loss of Glen Davis to the NBA's Boston Celtics will likely be felt most on the backboard where he averaged 10.4 rebounds per game last season. LSU averaged 37.7 rebounds per game as a team last season.

Forward Tasmin Mitchell is the team's leading returning rebounder at 5.7 per game. Mitchell made it to the final cuts of the United States' Pan American Games team.

As for interior defense, LSU will need some help from some players who are either new or didn't see much playing time last season.

"We signed (6-foot-11 forward) Anthony Randolph to come in as a freshman and play, if not start," Brady said. "Certainly, I think he has the opportunity to start. We've started some freshmen in the past who have done quite well in Brandon (Bass), Glen Davis and even Tyrus (Thomas) as a redshirt freshman. I don't have any problem with Anthony being able to step in as a freshman and have an impact.

"(Center) Chris Johnson's minutes will expand more than they did a year ago. In retrospect, I probably should have given him the minutes I gave Magnum Rolle because the times that he played he wound up being more productive. We're going to swing in there with Tasmin Mitchell around the basket more from time to time. He can handle that quite well."

If the inside play is the question mark for the Tigers, then the reliable figures to be the perimeter play.

Mitchell was the Tigers' second-leading scorer last season at 14.5 points per game. He has been impressive in his play this summer.

"Tasmin has had two outstanding years for us, in my opinion," Brady said. "Last year he increased his scoring, increased his rebounding, increased his perimeter shooting from the 3-point line. He just got back from the Pan Am Games tryouts and I just got a call from (coaches) Jay Wright and Mark Gottfried and they were really impressed with his game and how it has expanded.

"He's in the best shape he's ever been in. He knows this is an opportunity for him to step it up another level. Without Tyrus here and Glen Davis, he's going to emerge, I believe, as our best player and the leader on our team."

Brady said Garrett Temple would continue to handle some of the point guard duties. However, freshman Bo Spencer of Glen Oaks also figures into those plans.

"Garrett will get to play off the ball some as well," Brady said. "He's one of the better defenders, I think, in the country. There's always a spot for Garrett Temple on the floor.

"What he needs to do is become a more consistent perimeter shooter. We've encouraged him to take the ball to the hole more and get fouled and use his length and athleticism to get to the free throw line because he's an outstanding free throw shooter."