2013 SEC Tournament:**USC vs. Mississippi State GAME Thread**

[Rebel4ever]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

The last three years have been bad for the USC basketball team in large measure because of things that Lakeem had nothing to do with. I wish him all the best in life, and hope he will have some good memories of USC.

I wasn't blaming him for our last few years of futility. Basically my point was a statement on how bad Horn was even though I didn't mention his name in my post. All the best to Lakeem. He just wasn't SEC caliber like most of Horn's recruits.

[b381l]

Originally Posted by scaralum8812

I hope Frank doesnt leave but I couldnt hate him if he did. Rough rough season.

If he left after this season, he would be the biggest coward to ever coach. He's not going anywhere. Now it's personal.

[ReadR00ster]

bbbbwwwaahhhhaaaa. I think he will give it few years try at least. I still say we improved, slightly on last year. I think the attitude has improved at least.

[b381l]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

I feel sorry for Lakeem. But I am relieved this horror is over. This team never had a chance to be good. You can't compete on this level without some size. Unless you had like 3 Charles Barkleys in the frontcourt, you aren't going to win playing 6-5 guys in the post, and 5-10 guards. We need some roster changes for next year, and there will be some. We'll be bigger next year, especially in the post. And, we are still recruiting.

Lakeem deserved better. His teammates owed him 100% effort and they didn't show up. It's one thing to not play for a coach, it's something totally different to not show up for a senior teammate.

[SangareeCrew]

Originally Posted by b381l

Lakeem deserved better. His teammates owed him 100% effort and they didn't show up. It's one thing to not play for a coach, it's something totally different to not show up for a senior teammate.

Agreed. Sad to see items this way for him.

[U-Dub Gamecock]

I'm all for having wide-ass open tryouts...and give scholarships to the best 12, and cut the rest....

[eaglegolf018]

Pitiful. It was obvious just from ready updates they didn't care. That's pitiful. If you don't care, turn your scholarships in. Sad that people devote time and money to come watch these guys and some obviously just didn't give the effort.

Whatever. It's over. Thanks Lakeem for busting your junk the last 4 years. I'll miss you, Bulldog. I appreciate every ounce of effort you gave us. Sorry we couldn't give you the wins.

Time to take this program upward. I'm sick of this 14-18 crap. It's time to start improving.

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by Rebel4ever

I wasn't blaming him for our last few years of futility. Basically my point was a statement on how bad Horn was even though I didn't mention his name in my post. All the best to Lakeem. He just wasn't SEC caliber like most of Horn's recruits.

I wasn't suggesting you were blaming Lakeem. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Lakeem is good at complimenting other players who can score. He does not have the offensive skills to be a star, but he is good at what he does, if he has talented teammates to play with. He struggles on teams like the one this season.

[FilchCock]

We just have no D-1-worthy combinations of size and athleticism. It is depressing that we are only losing one senior.

[sc455]

glad it is over. there will be changes next year. lets just say that frank will have his fingerprints all over next years squad.

[ConwayGamecock]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

I feel sorry for Lakeem.

I don't know...Lakeem may have seen the writing on the wall...he always seemed to bust his ass in every game, that's for sure. But he came into the SEC schedule averaging 10.2 pts and 7.8 rebounds a game in the first 13 OOC games, and was one of the leaders in both scoring and rebounding. However, he slipped to averaging only 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game versus SEC opponents.

And of course the SEC slate would be tougher than the non-conference schedule, but Lakeem seemed to falter within the conference run: in the first 6 SEC games, he averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.8 rebs, but in the final 12 regular season SEC games he only averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. He had 4 pts and 3 rebs tonight....

Maybe Lakeem was ready for the season to end tonight too.....

[thumpin big]

Originally Posted by ConwayGamecock

I don't know...Lakeem may have seen the writing on the wall...he always seemed to bust his ass in every game, that's for sure. But he came into the SEC schedule averaging 10.2 pts and 7.8 rebounds a game in the first 13 OOC games, and was one of the leaders in both scoring and rebounding. However, he slipped to averaging only 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game versus SEC opponents.

And of course the SEC slate would be tougher than the non-conference schedule, but Lakeem seemed to falter within the conference run: in the first 6 SEC games, he averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.8 rebs, but in the final 12 regular season SEC games he only averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. He had 4 pts and 3 rebs tonight....

Maybe Lakeem was ready for the season to end tonight too.....

I thought I saw a change in Lakeem after the Florida game. Maybe that game made him realize just how bad his team was and he decided the season was a lost cause. I'm just guessing, about this, but I did think I saw him become less productive after that game. It is sad to me because Lakeem had worked his butt off since he has been at USC only to be disappointed with the lack of success his teams had. I wish things could have been different for him because I really like that young man. God bless him.

[talon]

thank god it is over

[uscJustin06]

I don't think next year will be much better. Don't get your hopes up.

[Travelin]

I'll miss Lakeem, too. However, I will not miss B. Richardson, E. Smith, Slawson and Leonard if they choose to play elsewhere next year or are asked to take a hike. It wouldn't hurt my feelings and I would welcome all new additions to the roster with open arms.

[2000grad]

We improved since last year. Things take time. I reckon no one remembers holtz's first year?

[cockypanther]

Originally Posted by thumpin big

I feel sorry for Lakeem. But I am relieved this horror is over. This team never had a chance to be good. You can't compete on this level without some size. Unless you had like 3 Charles Barkleys in the frontcourt, you aren't going to win playing 6-5 guys in the post, and 5-10 guards. We need some roster changes for next year, and there will be some. We'll be bigger next year, especially in the post. And, we are still recruiting.

I still don't understand why you feel sorry for Lakeem.. he has no business playing D1 ball. I guess he is a great kid, but he has no body control, no basketball skills, and doesn't belong in the SEC playing basketball.

[TwoNotch Dreams]

While I think the players that Horn recruited aren't even close to basketball players, I still wish that USC students and the rest of the city of Columbia would just come out to CLA and SUPPORT THE TEAM.

I think that's one of the problems with the basketball program. The players are playing in front of a half full arena and sitting on their hands. If the football team sucked, people would still support it. I get that football is a bigger deal, but maybe if the players had fans supporting them every home game, things would be a little better.

Next season could be interesting though with Thornwell, Johnson, Ringer, and McKie in the fold. Carerra, Kacinas and Chatkevicius hopefully getting better. Ellington, Richardson and Williams being seniors. Also there will be more familiarity with Frank.

[Ole Gregg]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

We improved since last year. Things take time. I reckon no one remembers holtz's first year?

the year we went woe and eleven?

[sc455]

Originally Posted by TwoNotch Dreams

While I think the players that Horn recruited aren't even close to basketball players, I still wish that USC students and the rest of the city of Columbia would just come out to CLA and SUPPORT THE TEAM.

I think that's one of the problems with the basketball program. The players are playing in front of a half full arena and sitting on their hands. If the football team sucked, people would still support it. I get that football is a bigger deal, but maybe if the players had fans supporting them every home game, things would be a little better.

Next season could be interesting though with Thornwell, Johnson, Ringer, and McKie in the fold. Carerra, Kacinas and Chatkevicius hopefully getting better. Ellington, Richardson and Williams being seniors. Also there will be more familiarity with Frank.

if the housecleaning is done like i expect, i would almost gaurantee much larger crowds. sorry to say, but i want to watch franks guys. fortunately for basketball, that is the sport that can change the most in one year.