It wasn’t pretty, but LSU tied their fourth consecutive victory together Saturday night against a playful South Carolina team.
Never apologize for a victory, that is my motto. LSU could easily have beaten when South Carolina recovered at eight, but the Tigers continued to fight until they took the Gamecocks’ lead. Now LSU has prepared for a massive game Tuesday night, while Alabama visits PMAC with SEC first place on the line.
3:38: The amount of time LSU took
Carolina jumped on the LSU and angrily continued to give LSU a rigid arm every time the Tigers went out to run. It seemed that Gamecocks had an answer for each of LSU’s executions, that was until …
7:57: South Carolina field goal drought in second half
LSU increased the defensive intensity. The attack was not a problem in the Will Wade era, but the defense has always left a little to be desired. But LSU has been playing quite a robust defense lately.
The Tigers held Ole Miss and Arkansas at 35 percent shots, and when they had to make stops against South Carolina, they did. Carolina ended the game by hitting just one of the 13 final shots. If LSU really took strides defensively, they can be a problem for a number of teams.
32: LSU free throw attempts
The recipe for a basketball turnaround: making stops and reaching the free throw line. LSU did so much, Cam Thomas and Trendon Watford in particular. Watford and Thomas made 10 free throws and hit nine.
I’m really impressed with how Cam Thomas can make points. Most players of Thomas’s age would continue to shoot worse and worse out of a crisis. Thomas had a rough night since three, but made up for it by getting on the line. That maturity will help him a lot when he gets to the NBA.
6: LSU bench points
Fortunately for Will Wade, he has four legitimate scorers in his top five and at least one of them is on the court all the time. But getting only six points from your reservations is a cause for concern, especially in this COVID world in which we live. We saw Javonte Smart being prevented from playing a game because of COVID’s concerns, but that was during the conference piece. What happens if Smart, Thomas, Watford or Darius Days lose a game or two, can you count on the bank to fill that gap?
two: LSU is currently second in the SEC with a chance to move to the first with a victory tomorrow night. I can’t ask for much better than that.