LSU Tigers
SEC (21-10, 12-6)
On the heels of their trip to the Sweet Sixteen, LSU has put together another solid season under Coach Will Wade. The Tigers started off a bit slow, losing a few games to mid-major teams in non-conference play. None of those losses turned out to be bad though. Once SEC play began, LSU really took shape and started off 9-0 in conference play. After that the defense became an issue and the Tigers began to slip.
Big Wins: 11/24 vs Rhode Island (96-83), 1/21 Florida (84-82), 1/25 at Texas (69-67)
Bad Losses: 11/13 at VCU (82-84), 2/5 at Vanderbilt (90-99), 2/15 at Alabama (82-88)
Coach: Will Wade
Why They Can Surprise:
LSU has five players who average double digits in the scoring department. Skylar Mays leads the way with 16.7 points per game. Backcourt mate Javonte Smart adds 12.5 per game and dishes out 4.2 assists. The frontcourt trio of Darius Days, Emmitt Williams and Trendon Watford has been absolutely spectacular this season. Days can effectively stretch the defense with his outside shooting ability and Watford and Williams are especially productive in the paint. All three are superb rebounders as well and this is one of the best teams in the SEC on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The defense has been a struggle this season. Following LSU’s 9-0 start in SEC play, they lost four of their next five and gave up an average of 87 points per game during that stretch. That will not cut it during the NCAA Tournament. The bench, usually consisting of Charles Manning and Marlon Taylor, is very potent but quite slim. The frontcourt lacks depth after the starting three and foul trouble can become an issue. If that happens, LSU could have some more trouble defensively, but they can still outscore anybody.
Probable Starters:
Skylar Mays, Senior, Guard, 16.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 spg
Javonte Smart, Sophomore, Guard, 12.5 ppg, 4.2 apg
Darius Days, Sophomore, Forward, 11.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Emmitt Williams, Sophomore, Forward, 13.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Trendon Watford, Freshman, Forward, 13.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Key Role Players:
Charles Manning, Junior, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 bpg
Marlon Taylor, Senior, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.5 (11th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.3 (279, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.1 (24, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (140, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.8 (218, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.7 (211, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.9 (17, 3)
Rebound Margin: 6.3 (25, 2)
Assists Per Game: 12.8 (199, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.6 (122, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Yale |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Maryland |
| 2019 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Michigan State |
| 2018 | NIT | First Round win over Louisiana |
| 2018 | NIT | Second Round loss to Utah |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to North Carolina State |
| 2014 | NIT | First Round win over San Francisco |
| 2014 | NIT | Second Round loss to SMU |
| 2012 | NIT | First Round loss to Oregon |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Butler |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to North Carolina |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iona |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Texas A&M |
| 2006 | NCAA | Regional semifinal win over Duke |
| 2006 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Texas |
| 2006 | NCAA | National semifinal loss to UCLA |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to UAB |
| 2004 | NIT | First Round loss to Oklahoma |
| 2003 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Purdue |
*all team stats through 3/8
