SEC Basketball Media Day kicks off Tuesday in Birmingham, but one major program is already a no-show: LSU. Coach Will Wade and his players won’t be in attendance, with the official word citing “inclement weather” and a ground stop in Baton Rouge due to fog. But let’s be real, the Tigers have bigger storm clouds brewing than just a little morning haze.
The Media Day No-Show
This isn’t just about missing a few photo ops, either. Wade was slated to speak second, right after Auburn’s Steven Pearl. LSU transfer hoopers Abdi Bashir Jr. from Kansas State and Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky were also supposed to be there alongside their coach. And it’s not just the men’s squad: Women’s coach Kim Mulkey, plus MiLaysia Fulwiley, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Mikaylah Williams, are also out. The SEC confirmed the no-show, and LSU’s official Twitter even put out a message about catching them remotely. It’s a noticeable absence for a program that’s already getting zero love from the league’s crystal ball, picked to finish a dismal 14th in the preseason SEC poll. Only Mississippi State and South Carolina are projected to be worse. Yikes.
The Roster Under the Microscope
But let’s talk about the real reason folks are raising eyebrows. This “inclement weather” feels a bit like a convenient excuse when you look at the absolute wild ride Wade has had with this roster. The dude’s roster construction has been under a full-blown microscope all season, and honestly, for good reason. Just a few days ago, the Tigers only had FOUR players listed on their active roster. FOUR! It’s since been updated to ten, with some fresh faces like UCLA transfer Donovan Dent, international big man Michael Ružić, and freshman Jordan Bender joining up. That’s a start, sure. But a “handful” of players are still caught in eligibility limbo. We’re talking guys Wade recruited this offseason, like former Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr., another UCLA transfer Skyy Clark, plus international talents Gilad Levy, Brice Dessert, and Saliou Niang. None of them are on the official roster yet. Think about that.
Wade’s trying to spin it, too. He made some public remarks last month, calling his approach “unconventional.” He even compared it to Airbnb and Uber, saying “just because it’s unconventional doesn’t mean it’s not going to work.” He admitted it might not work, adding that if it doesn’t, we can “write about what an idiot I.” Bold words from a coach whose team finished dead last in the SEC last season with a 3-15 record, which ultimately cost Matt McMahon his job after four seasons. LSU’s exhibition debut last week against McNeese? They snagged a tight 63-60 win. Good, right? Except they only played *seven* players. Seven! It’s clear they’re scraping by, and the “unconventional” label is really starting to feel like a polite way of saying “desperate.”
So, while other teams are making their introductions and talking about their goals in Birmingham, LSU’s squad is back home, dealing with… well, “fog.” But the real fog seems to be around the program’s direction and whether this “unconventional” roster can even compete. Wade has a massive uphill battle to fight, and the season hasn’t even officially started. If the team picked 14th can’t even get its full roster confirmed, let alone show up to media day without a convenient weather excuse, it’s going to be a long season for the Tigers. Get ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply