LSU Tigers
SEC (26-6, 16-2)
The Tigers are back in the tournament for just the second time since 2009. Back in 2006 LSU reached the Elite Eight and this group is definitely the most talented since that team. And perhaps they are even more talented. With wins over the likes of Kentucky, LSU has proven that they can beat anybody on any given day. If Coach Will Wade’s team can get some momentum in the tournament, LSU is a team that can push for another Elite Eight appearance.
Big Wins: 2/6 at Mississippi State (92-88), 2/12 at Kentucky (73-71), 2/23 Tennessee (82-80)
Bad Losses: 11/25 vs Oklahoma State (77-90), 2/2 Arkansas (89-90), 2/20 Florida (77-82)
Coach: Will Wade
Why They Can Surprise:
LSU makes a living off easy buckets. Tremont Waters and Skylar Mays are two of the best perimeter defenders in the nation. They combine for about five steals per game and that often leads to easy points on the other end of the floor. Waters is a superb point guard and leads the team with 15.1 points and 5.9 assists per game. In the half-court offense he can make plays too and set up all of his teammates. Mays and Ja’vonte Smart are also prolific perimeter scorers. The frontcourt has some scorers too, most notably Naz Reid. The Tigers knew they had a presence on the glass with the 6-10 freshman from Asbury Park, New Jersey, but he has turned into a superb interior scoring threat as well.
Why They Can Disappoint:
LSU’s defense can often be a high risk, high reward affair. When they do not get steals, the opposition often gets an easy look at the basket. That is why a team like Arkansas can score 90 points on the Tigers and shoot 58.3 percent from the floor and 54.2 percent from beyond the arc. The Tigers still almost won that game, but most NCAA Tournament quality teams can beat LSU if they shoot like that.
Probable Starters:
Tremont Waters, Sophomore, Guard, 15.1 ppg, 5.9 apg
Marlon Taylor, Junior, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Skylar Mays, Junior, Guard, 13.4 ppg, 2.2 apg
Naz Reid, Freshman, Forward, 13.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Kavell Bigby-Williams, Senior, Forward, 7.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Key Role Players:
Darius Days, Freshman, Forward, 5.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Emmitt Williams, Freshman, Forward, 7.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Javonte Smart, Freshman, Guard, 11.5 ppg, 2.5 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.6 (22nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.9 (223, 13)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.1 (78, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.5 (166, 11)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.9 (257, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.3 (288, 12)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.6 (23, 3)
Rebound Margin: 4.9 (36, 2)
Assists Per Game: 13.1 (200, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (196, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NIT | First Round win over Louisiana |
| 2018 | NIT | Second Round loss to Utah |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to North Carolina State |
| 2014 | NIT | First Round win over San Francisco |
| 2014 | NIT | Second Round loss to SMU |
| 2012 | NIT | First Round loss to Oregon |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Butler |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to North Carolina |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iona |
| 2006 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Texas A&M |
| 2006 | NCAA | Regional semifinal win over Duke |
| 2006 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Texas |
| 2006 | NCAA | National semifinal loss to UCLA |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to UAB |
| 2004 | NIT | First Round loss to Oklahoma |
| 2003 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Purdue |
*all team stats through 3/10
