New coach Will Wade certainly turned over the LSU roster following the school’s worst season in 50 years.

When the Tigers play host to Alcorn State in the season-opener at the PMAC on Friday, just five players are back from the team which tied for last place in the Southeastern Conference.

Only two of those five players will be the starting lineup against the Braves – point guard-turned wing Skylar Mays and post player Duop Reath. Aaron Epps would be the other starter in the post, but he is doubtful as he recovers from a foot injury.

The other two returnees are wing Brandon Sampson and post player Wayde Sims. Sampson, who started 26 games last season, may be used as a bench player by Wade. Sims could be in the starting lineup against Alcorn due to Epps’ absence.

There are seven eligible scholarship newcomers on the roster – five brought in by Wade and two signed by former coach Johnny Jones. Tremont Waters, who was signed by Wade, will be the starting point guard.

Three newcomers are competing for the two open spots in the lineup – wings Randy Onwuasor and Brandon Rachal and post player Jeremy Combs. Onwuasor and Combs are graduate transfers signed by Wade. Rachal signed with the Tigers when Jones was still the coach.

“The ‘three’ and the ‘four’ are still open,” said Wade at his pre-practice press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I love old Sims, but he doesn’t play well when he gets comfortable. Sims was good against Tulane, but he has not been good since then. We are tired of waiting around. We play Friday.

“I may start Combs, I may start Rachal. I may start Sims. Epps would solve this problem if he could play. He is a good player and he will kick Sims into high gear.”

Onwuasor and Rachal are the primary candidates to be the starter at the wing opposite Mays. With Epps not available, the Tigers are lacking a complete player at both the ‘three’ and the ‘four.’

“There is a little bit lack of consistency at those positions,” Wade said. “Really, we have guys at those spots who can only do certain things. Our best offensive option at the ‘three’ may be our worst defensive player. Our worst offensive player at the ‘four’ may be our best defensive player there.

“Do we want to have two non-shooters out there against Alcorn, which is going to play a matchup zone for 38 minutes? We have to balance everything out.”

At small forward, Onwuasor is the best scorer and Rachal is the top defender. At power forward, Sims is the better offensive player and Combs is a defender and rebounder.

“Our defense was okay against Texas (in Saturday’s scrimmage),” Wade said. “It was not poor. There was a slight step up. We are nowhere we need to be to win close games. We are trying to change the mindset, trying to change the way of thinking.”

Here is a breakdown of the scholarship personnel.

PERIMETER PLAYERS

No. Name Hgt. Wgt. Class Hometown

0 Brandon Sampson 6-5 185 Jr. Baton Rouge

2 Brandon Rachal 6-5 215 Fr. Natchitoches

3 Tremont Waters 5-11 165 Fr. New Haven (Conn.)

4 Skylar Mays 6-4 200 So. Baton Rouge

5 Daryl Edwards 6-3 165 Jr. Fresno (Cal.)

10 Galen Alexander 6-6 210 Fr. Breaux Bridge

14 Randy Onwuasor 6-3 210 Sr. Inglewood (Cal.)

SUMMARY: On more than one occasion, Wade has stated his desire to play two point guards at the same time. That scenario will play out with Mays shifting to the shooting guard spot with the true freshman Waters taking over as the lead guard. “I feel more comfortable with Tre and Sky out there together than anything else about our team,” Wade said. “We are not the same team when Skylar is not on the court. Tremont is going to make some mistakes. Skylar will be there to settle things down when Tre is having one of those nights.” There will be a rotation at the other perimeter position among Onwuassor, Rachal and Sampson. Onwuassor was a high-volume scorer at Southern Utah State. Rachal has earned praise from Wade for his willingness to play defense. Sampson has not shown much improvement from last season – streaky outside shooter, whose defense is average at best. Edwards and Alexander have yet to make a move up the depth chart.

POST PLAYERS

No. Name Hgt. Wgt. Class Hometown

1 Duop Reath 6-11 245 Sr. Perth (Australia)

11 *Kavell Bigby-Williams 6-11 230 Sr. London (England)

13 Jeremy Combs 6-7 215 Sr. Dallas (Tex.)

21 Aaron Epps 6-10 215 Sr. Ball

35 Mayan Kiir 6-9 200 Fr. Bradenton (Fla.)

44 Wayde Sims 6-6 215 So. Baton Rouge

*Ineligible after transferring from Oregon

SUMMARY: Wade is lamenting the situation with Epps, who has been out of action with a foot injury for a couple of weeks. Wade hopes that Epps can play in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational in two weeks if not against Samford next Thursday. Epps and Reath would give LSU a solid presence on the offensive end in the post. Reath had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the exhibition game loss at Tulane. When Epps is back on the court, the Tigers will have three quality backup post players in Sims, Combs and Kiir. Rachal will also be used as a power forward when LSU wants to use a smaller lineup. The problem for LSU inside is the lack of a rim protector. The Tigers have not had a shot blocker since Jordan Mickey left for the NBA three seasons ago. “We are trying to make sure that we can make the other team’s post man uncomfortable,” Reath said. “We have to make sure the post player catches the ball further out in the paint.”