Five questions facing LSU basketball in Will Wade’s return | LSU

LSU is on the verge of beginning its 2026-27 campaign under coach Will Wade.

The Tigers open the season against LSU New Orleans at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Here are five key questions facing LSU this new season.

How will international players adjust to the college game?

Three of Wade’s four international players got their first taste of college hoops.

Saliou Niang and Brice Dessert started in the only exhibition game they played and had quiet unofficial debuts in LSU’s 89-87 loss to Florida State. Niang finished with five points on 2-of-3 shooting and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. Dessert added four points on 2-of-2 shooting, along with two rebounds and three turnovers in 16 minutes.

They may need more time to get comfortable in games compared to 7-foot center Michael Ruzic, who played well in the three exhibitions. Kentucky transfer Mo Dioubate believes his international teammates will adjust in due time.

“Last game, Brice, it was his first time playing like in a collegiate game,” Dioubate said. “He kinda struggled at first a little bit with pace and everything. But you know, I think he picked it up towards the second half of the game. Sal, he’s been really good in practice, and I think it’s a matter of time.”

Who will be LSU’s starting center?

Wade has two options at starting center: the 20-year-old Ruzic or the 23-year-old Dessert.

Ruzic is the more skilled 7-footer. He can stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter and use his ball-handling ability to create shots for himself and others. Ruzic also added 15 pounds to reach 235 pounds. The added strength showed during the Tigers’ three preseason games, as he rebounded and defended at a higher level than he did in Spain.

Dessert is an even more intimidating physical presence at 7-foot and 255 pounds, possessing more pro experience. What he lacks as a passer and ball handler, he makes up for with above-the-rim finishing and the physicality to give the strongest bigs in the Southeastern Conference some issues.

Wade said the decision hasn’t been made on who will start. He started Dessert over Ruzic against Florida State because it was a better matchup for the opposing Marcis Ponder, who is 7-foot and 285 pounds.

Can Donovan Dent be among the best players in the SEC?

LSU’s best player will most likely be Donovan Dent, who was among 20 players on the watch list for the 2027 Bob Cousy Award, highlighting the top point guards in Division I basketball.

He is as gifted a dribbler, passer and layup maker as there is. Dent averaged 13.3 points on 49.0% shooting from the field, 7.6 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last year at UCLA.

Dent, who is 6-2 and 185 pounds, seems capable of exceeding those stats in Wade’s fast-paced offense. The early returns for Dent have been stellar as he averaged 19 points and seven assists in three exhibitions. He was a rebound shy of a triple-double and made the go-ahead basket in his team’s 85- 81 win over Central Florida.

Wade will need his top point guard to be exceptional for LSU to reach its full potential. Despite not making the All-SEC preseason team, Dent may perform at a level reminiscent of former LSU star Tremont Waters, one of Wade’s best point guards.

Does LSU have enough shooters?

There is no question LSU has a couple great shooters in fifth-year Skyy Clark and senior Abid Bashi.

Both guards showed signs they can shoot at least 40% from 3-point range again this season, as they did last year.

Clark stunned in his lone preseason appearance, making 7-of-12 from beyond the arc for 21 points against Florida State. Bashir made 6-of-12 3s in his 26-point outing in LSU’s win over UCF.

However, does LSU have enough shooting beyond its two specialists? Ruzic has perimeter skills, but he still needs to prove he can improve on the 29.1% he shot from 3-point range in 47 professional games last season. The rest of the roster also doesn’t have players with strong reputations as shooters.

The shooting question outside of Clark and Bashir may also appear on the free-throw line. LSU excelled at drawing fouls but only made 45 of 76 (59.2%) in three exhibitions.

What is LSU’s ceiling?

Since returning to Baton Rouge, Wade has repeatedly stated that he came back to not just win as he did before.

He has sights on making LSU a true powerhouse. The goal is not just an SEC championship. He wants to bring the program its first national title.

Wade hadn’t directly commented on the likelihood of that happening this year, but he’s said that this roster projects to be plenty good enough to win at a high level.

LSU has all but one player, Gilad Levy, eligible for the season opener, and there is an internal belief the Tigers will outperform their 14th projection in the SEC preseason poll.

Fans are starved for success as it hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since Wade’s first stint ended in 2022. With an expanded 76-team field, participating in March Madness is a floor outcome.