New LSU head coach Matt McMahon will have his work cut out for him during his first year with the program. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU facing stunning upheaval after Will Wade firing

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 4/1/22

The LSU Tigers appear headed for a very difficult road after firing Will Wade in the face of looming NCAA sanctions.

The Tigers officially faced a stunning reality on Friday. Forward Mwani Wilkinson entered the transfer portal, the 11th LSU player to do so since Wade was fired three weeks ago. With two players declaring for the NBA Draft in addition to 11 transfers, LSU will move forward with zero scholarship players from last season still on the roster.

It's officially happened.

With Mwani Wilkinson entering the transfer portal, #LSU basketball has zero remaining players from this year's LSU team. Eleven guys to the portal.

Sanctions are coming, and Matt McMahon will be building completely from scratch.

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) April 1, 2022

To make matters worse, all four members of LSU’s 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes decommitted from LSU. New coach Matt McMahon is bringing two transfer players with him from Murray State, but that is effectively it for players committed for next year’s team.

LSU’s problems run deep, as there was little reason for any of the current players to stick around. Wade was fired amid allegations of severe NCAA rules violations, and significant sanctions are likely to be handed down. The mere threat of that has evidently crippled the program, at least in the short term.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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