As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2024 and SEC play in the men’s basketball season, LSU has a lot more questions than answers.
The Tigers sit at 7-5 but lack impressive wins and even tout a really bad Quadrant 4 loss to Nicholls State. With a brutal SEC schedule incoming, it’s hard to find too much optimism surrounding this team.
In its latest SEC power rankings, On3 has LSU in the No. 13 spot, ahead of only a struggling Vanderbilt team that sits at 4-8 on what has been a disappointing season.
Per On3’s Alex Weber, the team’s biggest hope is that [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag], who has impressed in the last two seasons after sitting out as a two-time transfer, is the answer the Tigers have been looking for.
Completed on a Friday and Sunday on the second weekend of the season, LSU’s wins over North Texas and Wake Forest are its only in the KenPom top-250. Otherwise, the Tigers lost all four of their other games against top-100 teams and even lost to dreadful Nicholls State. After some positivity at other schools, the Tigers appear to be heading towards two straight years with little hope after their latest coaching hire.
New Year’s Resolution: Hope and pray Jalen Cook is the answer. The former Tulane point guard was one of the top guys at his position in the portal cycle and it was Matt McMahon who landed him. However, due to waiver rules, he couldn’t get on the court to begin the year but has now been granted eligibility. So, in two games, he’s participated in an 11-point shootout loss to Texas on a neutral court and then a win by 21 over Lamar. Maybe he doesn’t change much, but it’s worth wondering what kind of spark he’ll bring once fully integrated.
LSU will be back on the court at Friday night at 7 p.m. CT to host Northwestern State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
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