LSU vs. Iowa State: 3 Big Questions
LSU (22-11, 9-9 SEC) earned the No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament, drawing a first-round matchup in Milwaukee, WI, this Friday, March 18, against the No. 11 seed, Iowa State (20-12, 7-11 Big 12).
This is LSU’s 24th trip to the NCAA tournament, and a win against ISU to advance the Tigers to the second round for the second time in as many years would likely mean a matchup with the No. 3 seed, Wisconsin.
Here’s a look at three big questions for LSU as it enters Friday’s showdown with Iowa State.
1. HOW WILL THE TEAM REACT TO THE LOSS OF HC WILL WADE?
As readers are likely well aware, LSU parted ways with head coach Will Wade on Saturday in response to an NCAA Notice of Allegations.
Kevin Nickelberry, who has been on Wade’s staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator since the fall of 2019, is serving as the interim coach for the duration of the tournament.
While losing a head coach is disruptive and can create problems on the court and in the locker room, it can also galvanize a team and bring about inspired performances, at least in the short term.
Nickelberry is no stranger to the role of head coach, and it is unlikely that he will ask the players to do anything more than leave it all on the floor in Milwaukee.
If LSU comes out playing inspired, angry basketball, woe to Iowa State.
2. CAN TARI EASON TAKE A STEP FORWARD?
The First Team All-SEC Sixth Man of the Year has had a fantastic sophomore season in Baton Rouge after transferring from Cincinnati, averaging 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, all while coming off the bench for most of the season.
Now, under the bright lights of the Big Dance, he’ll need to do even more, especially against a nasty Iowa State defense.
While LSU’s defense may well be even better than Iowa State’s, scoring is going to be at a premium for the Tigers. After the season Eason has had, it would be a tremendous boost for LSU if he could take another step forward by putting pressure on a wobbly Iowa State offense to score.
Iowa State relies on its defense to win games, and Eason could go a long way toward spoiling those plans.
3. WHICH TEAM CAN PLAY BETTER DEFENSE?
As mentioned above, LSU may well play better defense than Iowa State. According to KenPom, LSU ranks 5th in adjusted defensive efficiency while ISU ranks 10th.
However, the difference between 5th and 10th isn’t all that significant.
According to KenPom:
"Adjusted defensive efficiency: points allowed per 100 possessions (adjusted for opponent)."
LSU’s adjusted defensive efficiency is 88.6; ISU’s is 90.4. Readers can do the math, but that’s an advantage of just 1.8 points per 100 possessions for LSU.
LSU and ISU play in arguably the two best basketball conferences in the nation, the SEC and the Big 12, so it is safe to say that both teams were well tested, seasoned, and hardened by their schedules, and there can be no doubt that both teams play elite defense.
The deciding factor in Friday’s game will likely be which team can play the best defense for 40 minutes.