Three LSU newcomers have done their job

The losing streak is still alive after Ole Miss outscored LSU by 30 points over the final 11½ minutes of their game in Oxford on Tuesday night.

The Tigers have been beaten 12 consecutive times going into their game against Alabama at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa on Saturday (2:30 p.m. Central/SEC Network). LSU is two defeats away from matching the longest losing streak in school history.

Tigers coach Johnny Jones may not survive this dismal season (9-16 overall, 1-12 in the Southeastern Conference). However, three of his 2016 signees are delivering more than adequate first years in college basketball.

Junior college transfer Duop Reath is averaging 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He is shooting 52 percent from the field. Of the 14 newcomers who logged significant playing time under Jones, a case could be made that only Ben Simmons and Jordan Mickey have been more productive than Reath.

Freshman Skylar Mays, who has started 19 games, is averaging 7.8 points and 3.8 assists per game. Mays has made 41 percent of his field goal attempts. Freshman Wayde Sims, who is averaging 19 minutes per game, is accounting for 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. He is shooting 50 percent from the field.

“These new guys have done more than expected,” Jones said. “They have done this while they have had a lot put on their plate.”

The 2016 signing class also included junior college transfer Branden Jenkins and freshman Kieran Hayward. Mays was the top-rated player among the signees – a top-100 player coming out of Findlay Prep in Nevada. Most observers expected Mays to be the Tigers’ starting point guard.

“I never put any numbers on what I wanted to do as a freshman,” Mays said. “Of course, you want to play and you want to play well. The biggest difference between high school and college is the physical maturity of the players.

“I have played against a lot of talented players. Now, I am playing against 22 and 23-year old men. You know when a freshman is on you. You can tell by their (lack of) physicality. The older guys all know the little plays they can make which the refs won’t see.”

Mays’ performance has picked up since the beginning of the SEC schedule. In non-conference games, Mays shot 35 percent from the field and averaged 4.7 points. In 13 league games, Mays has averaged 10.7 points and made 44 percent of his field goal attempts.

“Skylar has been exceptional,” Jones said. “He is trying to learn our offense and make sure that he is creating opportunities for guys on the floor. His assist-to-turnover ratio (94 assists, 53 turnovers) is very good. He has also shown the ability to score which is something he didn’t have to do in high school.”

Both Reath and Sims have had their responsibilities change due to the suspension and eventual dismissal of Craig Victor. Reath was projected to be a complement to Victor where his main jobs would be defense and shot-blocking. Victor would handle much of the inside scoring.

Sims was going to learn how to play as a wing due to his 6-foot-6 height. Sims was not big enough to play in the post in the SEC. With no Victor, Sims and Aaron Epps had to be on the court more as post players. Sims has generated as many points and rebounds as Epps, a junior.

“Duop is one of the most surprising players,” Jones said. “We brought Duop in for a different role – rebound, be a shot-blocker and be a capable scorer. After Craig Victor’s departure, his role changed. He went from being a role guy to the main guy. He had to play maximum minutes on the court.

“Wayde had to be put in a different spot in the rotation after Victor left. He had to play more minutes trying to take up some the scoring and rebounding Victor offered us. Wayde has done an adequate job in a challenging situation.”

Reath’s numbers have dipped in games against SEC opponents – all of which coming after Victor was dismissed from the team. Reath averaged 14.8 points against non-conference teams. In SEC games, Reath is contributing 11.1 points per game.

“Foul trouble has been really affecting me,” said Reath, who has committed at least four fouls in eight of the 13 SEC games. “I have watched a lot of film. My body has not been in the right position. Sometimes I need to let the guy go and I try to block his shot. I must realize I have help coming.

“I have learned that it takes a lot to win at this level. Your focus must be at another level all the time. My head is still in this season. I am trying to finish the season strong and get some wins.”

Here are the statistics of the first-year LSU players who averaged at least 18 minutes since Johnny Jones became coach.

2013

Shavon Coleman (junior college transfer): 8 starts, 28 minutes, 10.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 45% FG shooting

Charles Carmouche (senior graduate transfer): 23 starts, 27 minutes, 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 44% FG shooting

Malik Morgan (freshman): 14 starts, 18 minutes, 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 41% FG shooting

2014

Jordan Mickey (freshman): 34 starts, 33 minutes, 12.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 53% FG shooting

Jarell Martin (freshman): 25 starts, 26 minutes, 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 47% FG shooting

2015

Keith Hornsby (transfer): 33 starts, 36 minutes, 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 42% FG shooting

Josh Gray (junior college transfer): 20 starts, 25 minutes, 7.1 points, 3.8 assists, 40% FG shooting

Jalyn Patterson (freshman): 11 starts, 25 minutes, 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 41% FG shooting

2016

Ben Simmons (freshman): 32 starts, 35 minutes, 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 56% FG shooting

Craig Victor (transfer): 24 starts, 27 minutes, 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 45% FG shooting

Antonio Blakeney (freshman): 24 starts, 31 minutes, 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 43% FG shooting

2017

Duop Reath (junior college transfer): 25 starts, 28 minutes, 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 52% FG shooting

Skylar Mays (freshman): 19 starts, 23 minutes, 7.8 points, 3.8 assists, 41% FG shooting

Wayde Sims (freshman): 4 starts, 19 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 50% FG shooting

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