Is LSU going too far?

Good morning. What will Will Wade do today?

Let’s get to Tuesday’s news.

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1. LSU reportedly signs 3 more professional players

We're on a two-day streak of LSU's roster-building methods causing an uproar.

On Monday, the Tigers reportedly agreed to a deal with 25-year-old Yam Mader (who might or might not be eligible). They double downed on that Tuesday morning.

Luis led St John's to a two-seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and won Big East POY. He was a surprise 2025 NBA Draft entrant, didn't get picked, and inked a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz before the Celtics traded for him.

And now? He’s trying to play college hoops again. Will it be similar to what Charles Bediako tried last season when he played five games for Alabama by virtue of a series of temporary restraining orders? Given the NCAA just issued guidance last week that said anyone who “entered an agreement with, competed on or received compensation from” from NBA teams won’t be eligible, he’ll only be eligible by some type of lawsuit.

It’d be notable if Luis was the only move LSU made on Tuesday. But there was more.

It also brought in a pair of international pros: Forward Saliou Niang, who played this year for Virtus Bologna in Italy, and French big Brice Dessert, who spent time with Anadolu Efes.

Niang also was previously as NBA Draft selection; the 58th pick of the 2024 draft by the Cavaliers as a draft-and-stash player. He averaged 7.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg during his club's EuroLeague games and 9.0 ppg and 5.1 rpg in their LBA games. Niang is a lockdown defensive wing who can defend guards or bigs.

Dessert, a 23-year-old big man, averaged 8.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg in BSL games and 5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg in EuroLeague games.

That’s a potential LSU roster with:

• Yam Madar (25, drafted in 2020)

• RJ Luis (23, signed NBA deal, played in G League)

• Brice Dessert (23, EuroLeague)

• Marcio Santos (23, Euroleague)

• Mo Dioubate (22, only played in college)

• Austin Nunez (23, college)

• Abdi Bashir (22, college)

• Divine Ugochukwu (college)

Perhaps it’s not a surprise that some coaches haven’t been pleased with this approach.

Florida coach Todd Golden told Field of 68 last night: “This is not what college basketball is supposed to be, this is not what it’s about … I do believe this will be a net positive because we’re gonna have to see some action. We’re gonna have to see if guys like this will get cleared or not.”

Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster discussed this topic at length, and Goodman didn’t hold back about his view on Wade.

Next up? The courts. Because LSU doesn’t know how many of those players will even be eligible.

2. USC’s roster outlook gets a boost + portal moves

USC got some positive news on Tuesday.

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