THE STORY
LSU basketball coach Will Wade lit into his team during a first half timeout. It was a sloppy start that never really picked up from a shooting perspective.
Despite a dismal effort from downtown, the Tigers blew Texas Southern away, 92-51. Wade will have plenty to pick apart in the film room afterward.
A letdown was relatively predictable. The opening night spark went out on Tuesday, and an upcoming trip to Gonzaga is looming. The homestanding Tigers trailed by four points after five minutes were gone. Saliou Niang had turned the ball over twice, and the Tigers started 1-for-4 from the floor.
After a pair of threes clanged off the rim early, LSU began to attack. The Tigers made five straight field goals, all dunks and layups, to take a lead they would never relinquish.
LSU (2-0) used a 9-0 and then a 10-0 run to take control in the first half. The 10-0 spurt came between the 3:54 and 1:55 marks and included eight free throws and a fast break dunk. That was essentially the Tiger offense all night.
My biggest takeaway from the throttling was LSU’s play at the five spot. Michael Ruzic is coming off the bench and giving LSU more than Brice Dessert is as the starter. Ruzic is a stronger rebounder and shows far more polish on the offensive end. Ruzic played 22 minutes to Dessert’s 12:26. Ruzic was plus-40 when on the floor. Dessert was minus-6.
LSU started 1-for-13 from three-point range. Abdi Bashir made LSU’s last two triples to put a little lipstick on a pig. The Tigers were 5-for-22 from deep. Those nights happen, but LSU is going to need to shoot the ball better, specifically Skyy Clark who has missed all 11 of his long-range shots through two games.
The defense was good, holding Texas Southern to 51 points on 24 percent shooting. The Tigers forced 14 turnovers.
Every game will help this team gel. A 41-point win is a fine way to make some progress. It wasn’t a work of art, but there’s no time to dwell on it. Back in action on Monday.
THE STATS
Donovan Dent: 10 points, 10 assists, 0 turnovers, 3 steals
Saliou Niang: 15 points, 4-for-6 FG, 7-for-8, FT, 11 rebounds, 3 steals
Michael Ruzic: 6-for-7 FG, 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
Field Goals: LSU 30-for-63 (57%); TSU 14-for-59 (24%)
LSU was 31-for-41 (76%) from two-point range
Paint points: 62-12 LSU
Rebounds: 50-29 LSU
LSU was 15-for-25 (60%) from the free throw line
WHAT’S NEXT
LSU has a quick turnaround for game three. Louisiana Tech visits the Maravich Center on Monday for a 7:00 tipoff.
The Bulldogs beat Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday night by the stunning final of 76-17 to move to 2-0.
