LSU Tigers in Men’s SEC Tournament: What fans must know before tip-off
By John Fye
![Feb 22, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers forward Derek Fountain (20) is congratulated by guard Justice Hill (3)] after a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F91043d78aa16a878d5176424d4c8ed68aaac41e0979936752575d74494a4665c.jpg "Feb 22, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers forward Derek Fountain (20) is congratulated by guard Justice Hill (3)] after a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports")
Despite their losing record, the LSU Tigers men’s basketball team will play in the SEC Tournament. Here’s what fans need to know before the tourney tips off.
The LSU Tigers will be in action as the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off Wednesday in Nashville, TN. Barring any unforeseen sources of defense, Wednesday is likely the last time we’ll see the LSU men’s team this season. However, we suspect few fans will complain after suffering through Matt McMahon’s first year in Baton Rouge.
Ole Miss and South Carolina open the tournament in the 12 vs. 13 contest at 6 pm CT. LSU follows in an 8 pm CT tip-off against Georgia in the 11 vs. 14 part of the bracket. Of course, the Tigers are the tournament’s lowest seed. Suffice it to say; there will be no ‘going dancing’ or March Madness for LSU this time.
The 2023 SEC Tournament Bracket. pic.twitter.com/zje4h76PWh
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 5, 2023
The SEC Tournament 1st Round contest between LSU and Georgia will air live on the SEC Network. Betting odds remain unreleased, but ESPN’s ‘Matchup Predictor’ favors the LSU Tigers by 51.9%. Such a prediction is interesting, considering the Bayou Bengals finished with the worst conference record (2-16) in the SEC.
The LSU Tigers lost a close game to Georgia 65-63 in Athens on February 14th. McMahon’s team went back and forth with the Bulldogs for most of the contest and led 63-62 with 11 seconds remaining. However, Georgia regained the lead after a Justin Hill layup with 4.2 seconds, followed by a steal in LSU’s final touch. The loss was a microcosm of the 2022-23 LSU men’s basketball experience.
After beginning the season 12-1, the LSU Tigers failed to put together a complete game after the calendar turned over. Marred by inconsistent offense and nonexistent defense, the Bayou Bengals finished the regular season 13-18. What’s worse is the Tigers didn’t win a single game on the road this season.
Next. Why LSU men's basketball team wasn't good this season. dark
At this point, all LSU Tigers fans can do is give McMahon the benefit of the doubt moving forward. More recruiting classes and fewer Will Wade-era restrictions will lead LSU to a brighter men’s basketball future.