It was a tough week for LSU basketball on the court. Back-to-back blowout losses to Alabama did some serious damage to LSU’s standing in the updated NET rankings from the NCAA. A week after maneuvering into the top 20, LSU now sits at No. 35 to begin the week.
LSU had dropped to No. 26 in the previous NET ranking update after initially moving into the top 20 last week. LSU’s 85-80 victory over South Carolina at the Maravich Center didn’t do much to impress the ranking method as the Gamecocks are currently No. 108 in the NET rankings. But it was the 30-point thumping LSU took at home to surging Alabama that really dealt the devastating blow to the Tigers in the NCAA’s official metric. An 82-69 loss at Kentucky on Saturday was the knockout blow to knock LSU down a few more pegs.
LSU is now 1-3 in Quad 1 games, which shows LSU is a good team but still trying to get over the top in the games that carry the most weight. LSU is undefeated in Quad 3 (5-0) and Quad 4 (3-0) games so far this season. The Tigers are 1-1 in Quad 2 games.
Alabama has moved up to No. 9 in the NET rankings. Other SEC teams ahead of LSU in the updated NET rankings include Tennessee (No. 12), Missouri (No. 23), Florida (No. 26), and Arkansas (No. 32).
LSU will have an opportunity to rebound this week with a road trip to College Station to face Texas A&M on Tuesday. But it will be next weekend’s matchup with Texas Tech in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge that could reshape LSU’s standing the most. The Red Raiders are currently No. 13 in the NET rankings.
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