December 29, 2025: during NCAA Basketball action between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Michael Bacigalupi
By Hunt Palmer
Both backcourts could be compromised tonight in the Maravich Center.
LSU head coach Matt McMahon confirmed Monday that starting point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. will not play against Arkansas. For the Hogs, guards Karter Knox and DJ Wagner are doubtful.
Thomas has only played in three SEC games this season after suffering a lower leg injury prior to the league opener at Texas A&M. The junior from Las Vegas is LSU’s leader in points per game and assists, so the Tiger offense will have to look elsewhere for shot creation.
Knox and Wagner have each started 18 games for the Hogs this season. Both missed Saturday’s contest with Mississippi State. Knox is a 6-foot-6 sophomore who is shooting 38 percent from deep this season and averaging 8.4 points per game. Wagner was a prized recruit who won the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP before enrolling at Kentucky. He followed John Calipari to Arkansas where he’s been a significant contributor.
Without Knox and Wagner, Arkansas only played seven players against State on Saturday.
In the first matchup between these two teams, Arkansas won a back-and-forth battle in Fayetteville 85-81. The Hogs are 5.5 point favorites in Baton Rouge on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 8:00.
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