Xavier Pinson is no Javonte Smart, but he is experienced, and that will help LSU

BATON ROUGE - That was fast. 

Missouri junior point guard Xavier Pinson, who is considered a commitment to LSU at the moment after announcing on social media Monday that he will transfer to LSU, is no Javonte Smart. He is also no Tremont Waters. But he is better than anything LSU has right now at point guard.

Freshman Eric Gaines showed some flashes last season, but he may not be ready to step right in and be the point guard with the departure last week of Smart, who replaced Waters after the 2018-19 season. Jalen Cook, who was a seldom-used freshman last season, is also not ready, nor is Aundre Hyatt, who will be a junior next season.

LSU coach Will Wade has signed Brandon Murray of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, but Murray is more of a shooting guard.

The 6-foot-3 Pinson provides instant experience at the point, and he has the capability of taking over games - not like LSU freshman guard Cameron Thomas, no. But Pinson clearly will improve the Tigers. He scored 36 in a 102-89 win over TCU last season and 27 in a 73-64 win over Tennessee and had 23 twice against Arkansas.

Pinson will have two years of eligibility remaining. He will be eligible this season should the NCAA Division I Council approve immediate eligibility for transfers because of COVID-19 issues when it meets Thursday, eliminating the mandatory sit-out year with transfers in normal years. 

Thomas, who finished fourth in the nation last season with 23 points per game, is also expected to declare for the NBA Draft, Wade said after the season.

Pinson scored 14 points with two steals and an assist in the 86-80 loss to LSU last season. He had nine with seven assists in an 82-78 loss at LSU in 2020. 

Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin had dubbed Pinson "North-South" last season for his ability to drive hard to the basket and open up other offensive avenues. Pinson, however, struggled in the Tigers' 72-68 loss to Oklahoma on March 20 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and was benched for the final 5:52 of the game.

Martin replaced Pinson with point guard Drew Buggs. Less than three days later, Pinson entered the NCAA transfer portal.