Tag: LSU basketball

LSU Basketball opens SEC play with win over Texas A&M

LSU defeated Texas A&M 77-54 behind 32 points from freshman guard Cam Thomas. The win pushes the Tigers to 6-1 overall on the season.

The LSU Tigers basketball team defeated the Texas A&M Aggies on Tuesday night 77-54 to move to 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play.

Freshman guard Cam Thomas scored 32 points and added one assists and three rebounds in the 23 point win. Thomas is the first SEC player in 25 years to score at least 15 points in the first seven games of his career.

Darius Days added 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor and Mwani Wilkinson added seven points to lead the Tigers to a dominant victory.

Both the Tigers and Aggies entered Tuesday with a 5-1 record. Texas A&M was led by Quenton Jackson, who scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

LSU led 41-27 at halftime and outscored the Aggies 36-27 in the second half. The Tigers shot 46.9% from the floor as a team and went 33.3% from beyond the arc. Texas A&M shot just 38.2% from the floor and 19.2% from behind the three point line.

The Tigers only committed 10 turnovers and forced 13 on defense. The largest lead was 26 points at one time during the game.

The win pushes the Tigers to first place in the SEC for now as the other conference teams have yet to play. As of this point, LSU is looking like a strong team that can contend for the SEC regular season title.

Following the victory over the Aggies, LSU may have staked its claim to be ranked in the AP Top 25 come next week should they win on Saturday.

Next, the team faces the 3-1 Florida Gators at ExacTech Arena in Gainesville on Saturday. Tip off is slated for 1 pm CST on CBS.

LSU basketball moves to 5-1 after victory over Nicholls

The LSU Tigers returned to the hardwood Saturday after a long layoff and earned an 86-80 win over Nicholls at the Maravich Assembly Center.

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The LSU Tigers returned to the hardwood on Saturday after a long layoff and picked up an 86-80 win over Nicholls at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

It was the first time LSU had played since Dec. 14 due to COVID-19.

Freshman guard Cameron Thomas was once again LSU’s leading scorer, this time scoring 29 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field.

It was a career-high for Thomas, who has scored at least 16 points in every game this season.

Sophomore forward Trendon Watford checked in with 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists in one of the most well-rounded games of his young career.

Darius Days chipped in with 15 points and eight rebounds for LSU.

LSU shot 55 percent from the floor as a team; however, it made just four of 15 attempts from three-point range. The Tigers were outrebounded by Nicholls, which was playing for the first time since Dec. 1.

LSU was without guard Javonte Smart, who missed the game for unspecified reasons. Freshman Eric Gaines made the start in his place.

LSU has finished nonconference play and begins SEC play on Tuesday against Texas A&M.

LSU basketball defeats Sam Houston State

The LSU basketball team defeated the Sam Houston State Bearkats 88-66 behind 25 points from Javonte Smart.

The LSU Tigers men’s basketball team defeated the Sam Houston State Bearkats 88-66 on Monday inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center without head coach Will Wade, who couldn’t attend due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Javonte Smart led the Tigers with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Freshman guard Cam Thomas scored 19 points and Darius Days added 16 to lift LSU to the 22-point win.

With the victory, LSU moves to 4-1 on the season. Sam Houston State falls to 3-4 with the loss.

The Bearkats were led by Demarkus Lampley with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.

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The Tigers led 45-37 at halftime, up by 10 points in the final minute of the first half.

In the second half, the Tigers outscored Sam Houston State 43-29 to seal the victory.

The Tigers shot 48.5% from the floor on 33-of-68 shooting. The Bearkats shot 36.5% on 23-of-63 shooting. LSU finished the game 33.3% from behind the free throw line and Sam Houston State finished at 25% on 8-of-32 from beyond the arc.

LSU’s largest lead was 22 points in the second half. The Bearkats never held a lead in the game.

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From the free throw line, LSU shot 82.4% on 14-of-17 free throw attempts. Sam Houston State shot 80% at the line on 12-of-15 shooting.

Next up, LSU hosts the New Orleans Privateers on Wednesday inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Tip off is scheduled for 8 pm CST on SEC Network. Following Wednesday’s game, the Tigers have two non-conference games against North Texas and VCU to wrap up non-conference play before SEC play opens on December 29.

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LSU basketball dominates Louisiana Tech in Sunday contest

The LSU Tigers basketball team defeated Louisiana Tech 86-55 behind 18 points from sophomore Trendon Watford.

The LSU Tigers basketball team defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 86-55 on Sunday inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Tigers sophomore guard Trendon Watford led the team in scoring with 18 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor. Cam Thomas and Javonte Smart both scored 16 points in the win. Thomas finished the game shooting 5-of-11 and Smart went 6-of-9 including 4-of-6 from behind the three point line.

Louisiana Tech was led by Kenneth Lofton Jr., who scored 17 points off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting.

LSU improves to 3-1 with the win and Louisiana Tech suffered its first loss to fall to 3-1.

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As a team, LSU finished the game shooting 54.2% from the floor on 26-of-48 shots. The Tigers shot 40% from the three point line, going 8-of-20 in the win.

Louisiana Tech never held a lead during the game. LSU’s largest lead was 33 points during the game. Will Wade’s team had 42 rebounds on the defensive end of the floor and 46 on the offensive end.

LSU led 43-24 at halftime and outscored the Bulldogs 43-31 in the second half to seal the 31 point victory.

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The Tigers’ defense looked improved during the game, but the offense was the key story following the victory.

Freshman guard Jalen Cook scored 10 points off the bench to contribute in the win. He shot 3-of-4 from the floor on Sunday.

LSU travels to Atlanta to face the South Florida Bulls on Saturday in the Pitt Boss Grills Holiday Hoopsgiving tournament at State Farm Arena.

That game is slated for a 1:30 pm CST tip off next weekend.

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LSU basketball falls to Saint Louis, 85-81 in Saturday matchup

The LSU Tigers basketball team lost against Saint Louis 85-81 on Saturday despite 25 points from freshman Cameron Thomas.

The LSU Tigers played the final game of the Billikens Classic in Saint Louis, Missouri on Saturday against the Saint Louis Billikens.

After the Tigers defeated SIU-Edwardsville on Thursday, the Billikens defeated LSU 85-81 on Saturday.

LSU falls to 1-1 on the season while the Billikens move to 2-0.

LSU was led by freshman guard Cameron Thomas with 25 points. Trendon Watford finished the game with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting and Javonte Smart had 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

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The Billikens led 38-28 at the half. LSU shot 53.8% from the floor on 28-of-52 shooting as a team. Saint Louis shot 55.4% on 31-of-56 from the floor.

With four seconds remaining in the second half, LSU trailed 83-81 but fouled Javonte Perkins on a two-point attempt to give the Billikens a chance to extend the lead. Perkins made both free throws to give Saint Louis an 85-81 lead.

Darius Days rebounded a missed shot by Watford down 83-79 to pull the Tigers within two points. But the final moments of the game saw the Tigers lose control of the possession which led to the foul on Perkins.

Thomas had 21 points in the second half to pull the Tigers within a four-point differential after he scored 27 in his first career game on Thursday.

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The Tigers wasted time off the clock with eight seconds remaining before committing a foul that could have given them more time to get a better shot selection to try and potentially tie the game.

LSU returns to action on Monday inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as they host Southeastern Louisiana at 7 pm CT on SEC Network+.

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LSU forward Shareef O’Neal honors Kobe Bryant with jersey number

The son of LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal is paying tribute to Kobe Bryant, his father’s superstar teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade breathed a sigh of relief last week when forward Shareef O’Neal was granted immediate eligibility for 2020-21.

O’Neal, a 6-foot-10 forward, transferred from UCLA last winter and has three years of eligibility remaining with the Tigers.

On Wednesday, LSU’s official Twitter account revealed what uniform number O’Neal would wear for the Tigers as the team tipped off the new season on Thanksgiving Day.

O’Neal will wear the No. 32.

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His father, LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal, revealed why he chose the number on social media.

The 8+24 reference is to honor the late, great Kobe Bryant, who wore both numbers during his legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal has been outspoken about his strong relationship with Bryant since his tragic passing in January.

Shaquille O’Neal also wore the No. 32 jersey during his first four NBA seasons with the Orlando Magic.

O’Neal is expected to play a big role for LSU in 2020-21.

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LSU basketball wins season opener over SIU Edwardsville, 94-81

The LSU Tigers opened the 2020-21 college basketball season on Thursday evening with a 94-81 win over SIU Edwardsville at the Billiken.

The LSU Tigers opened the 2020-21 college basketball season on Thursday evening with a 94-81 win over SIU Edwardsville at the Billiken Classic in St. Louis.

Five-star freshman guard Cameron Thomas had quite the debut for Will Wade’s squad, scoring 27 points in his debut. Thomas hit 10 of his 21 attempts from the field and played 33 minutes.

Junior forward Darius Days scored a career-high 24 points and also pulled down seven rebounds. Days was nine of 11 from the field and connected on four of his six attempts beyond the arc.

The Tigers jumped out to a commanding 26-4 lead in the first 11 minutes of the game. However, SIUE trimmed LSU’s lead to 15 before halftime. The Cougars came out red-hot in the second half, going on a 23-10 run to cut LSU’s lead to two points.

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That’s as close as it would be as the Tigers went on a run of their own to extend their lead back into double digits, where it would remain for the rest of the game.

Sophomore transfer Shareef O’Neal made his LSU debut, playing 13 minutes, scoring three points and pulling down five rebounds.

It will be interesting to see what such a highly touted player can do for the program moving forward.

The Tigers play host, Saint Louis on Saturday.

LSU basketball releases official 2020-21 schedule

On Tuesday, the LSU Tigers revealed the latest version of their 2020-21 official basketball schedule. 

On Tuesday, the LSU Tigers revealed the latest edition of their 2020-21 official basketball schedule.

The Tigers, who were originally scheduled to open the season in the Golden Window Tournament in Lincoln, Neb., will now open the season in St. Louis in the Billiken Classic.

LSU will play Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Thanksgiving Day and, two days later, face the St. Louis Billikens.

The Tigers were originally scheduled to open the season on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

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The new schedule calls for LSU to play eight non-conference games before beginning an 18-game SEC slate on Dec. 29 against Texas A&M.

LSU head coach Will Wade is set to begin his fourth season in Baton Rouge; Wade has plenty of talent on the 2020-21 team with several key players returning, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class.

The Tigers also get the services of 6-foot-10 forward Shareef O’Neal, a transfer from UCLA and the son of LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal.

LSU finished 21-10 last season, with a 12-6 mark in SEC play.

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LSU forward Shareef O’Neal has waiver approved, can play in 2020-2021

The LSU Tigers received some good news on Wednesday in regards Shareef O’Neal and the 2020-21 basketball team. 

The LSU Tigers received some good news on Wednesday in regards to the 2020-21 basketball team.

Shareef O’Neal, the 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward from Los Angeles is now eligible to play for head coach Will Wade and LSU in 2020-21 after the NCAA approved his waiver.

The son of LSU legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, Shareef O’Neal transferred to his father’s alma mater back in February from UCLA.

As a redshirt freshman in 2019-20, O’Neal appeared in 13 games for the Bruins, averaging 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. His best performance was against Notre Dame, when he scored eight points and pulled down 11 rebounds.

The news of O’Neal’s eligibility is big for Wade. With several of the team’s top players returning from a year ago, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class, the Tigers have a chance to be really good in 2020-21.

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Skylar Mays selected 50th overall by Atlanta Hawks in 2020 NBA draft

Former LSU basketball star Skylar Mays selected No 50 by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2020 NBA Draft. Mays averaged 16.7 ppg in 2019-20

Former LSU Tigers basketball star Skylar Mays heard his name called on Wednesday night in the 2020 NBA draft as he was selected No. 50 overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

At LSU, Mays averaged 16.7 points per game in 2019-20, which led the team. In 34.4 minutes per game, the senior guard shot 49.1% from the floor, 39.4% from the three point line and 85.4% at the free throw line.

Mays provides the Hawks with a leadership role at the shooting guard position. Atlanta was in need of a versatile, up and down guard, and Mays gives the team that and much more.

For his career in Baton Rouge, Mays averaged 16.7 points per game, five rebounds and 3.2 assists. He shot 49.1% from the floor throughout his four seasons with the Tigers.

Mays ranked in the top 10 in college basketball for steals among the NBA draft prospects.

While he never led the team to a national championship, Mays quickly became the team’s leader. He was their top scorer last season.

The Hawks are getting a player that can shoot from the outside or drive inside the paint and get to the basket. Mays will quickly become a fan favorite in Atlanta.

The former Tigers star was projected as a late second round pick, and was selected No. 50.

His skill set will fit the NBA well. Mays becomes the first Tigers player selected in this year’s NBA draft.

His on-ball defense and versatile offensive game could see him become a contributor to the Hawks sooner than expected.

Atlanta has missed the playoffs three straight seasons and finished 20-47 in 2019-20.

Adding Mays gives the team a new outlook at the shooting guard position; However, he can also play point guard to switch things up on offense.

His 6-foot-4, 205 pound frame allows Mays to have quick feet and a long wingspan.