PALMER PREGAME: LSU opens SEC play with Vanderbilt

By Hunt Palmer

It’s here.

LSU trudged through a non-conference slate with some opportunities and some snoozers. The Tigers emerged with a few solid wins and a disappointing second half that cost them a potential win against SMU. All said, LSU did enough to position itself as an NCAA Tournament hopeful entering the most difficult conference slate in program history.

What the SEC did these last two months was historic, and that’s become common knowledge. Now it’s about finding a way through this grind with eight wins.

The most economical way through said grind is winning at home. Trips to Alabama, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Arkansas and Mississippi State, among others, are not great ways to make a living. Home games are like gold.

Home games against the presumed bottom of the league are even more precious. That’s what Vanderbilt presents on Saturday.

This is a Vanderbilt program remade under first-year head coach Mark Byington. The new head man comes to Vanderbilt from James Madison where he enjoyed a great four-year run. Now he gets his crack at the SEC.

He’s built a roster that has played well, beating California, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech on the road by 16 and TCU.

Now the Commodores come to Baton Rouge with an offensive efficiency of No. 12 and a defensive efficiency of No. 21. That’s high-level stuff, however, as I said, I think this Vanderbilt team is in the bottom six in the SEC in terms of talent.

I think LSU is, too.

That makes this a huge spot for both teams with March aspirations.

Commodores Turned Pirates

These guys are thieves. Vanderbilt leads the country in steals per game at 10.8. Freshman Tyler Tanner comes off the bench and wears opposing guards out with his quickness and instincts. He leads all rookies in steals with 32. That’s Top 15 in the nation. And he’s got help. Vanderbilt doesn’t really press, and they don’t trap frequently. They‘re just active. LSU simply can’t turn the ball over 18-20 times and win this game.

Vanderbilt turned Cal over 20 times, TCU 18. Because of that they attempted 68 field goals to Cal’s 55. They attempted 59 shots to TCU’s 51. That’s how you win games.

It’s not just the steals; it’s the ball security on the other end. Vanderbilt ranks 13^th in fewest turnovers. They play a possession game. LSU cannot fall into that on Saturday.

Small Ball

Vanderbilt is small. LSU has played small.

The Commodores aren’t going to start anyone over 6-foot-7 on Saturday as Devin McGlockton will likely be the big in the initial lineup.

That helps the ‘Dores play fast and create havoc. It does not help them on the glass. LSU’s Achilles early has been defensive rebounding. The Tigers rank No. 196 in defensive rebounding. That’s improved over the last three weeks thanks to dreadful competition. Vanderbilt could potentially be the worst rebounding team in the league, and they currently rank No. 124 in offensive rebounding percentage.

LSU’s first shot defense has been good. To pair the first two points here together, if LSU takes care of the ball and rebounds defensively, the Tigers will win the game.

Make it, Take it

These teams have had bumpy three-point seasons. LSU shoots 33 percent from deep. Vanderbilt shoots 34 percent. Both have guys who can fill it up, though, on a given day. Cam Carter is shooting 43 percent for LSU. Jason Edwards, who comes off the bench, is shooting nearly 40 percent. Jordan Sears of LSU and Tyler Nickel of Vanderbilt are the next two guys to watch.

I’ve typed it and typed it. Threes are big. We’ll see who can knock down big bonus balls.

Tipoff Saturday afternoon is set for 3:30 on ESPN2.