The College Basketball regular season is coming to a close and soon enough College Basketball fans will be filling out their March Madness brackets. Before we get to that point, the Regular Season must come to a close this week before Conference Tournaments next week. On Tuesday Night, the LSU Basketball team kicks off their final week facing off against the 19th ranked Kentucky Wildcats.
The Wildcats haven't exactly been a juggernaut this season with an 8-8 record in SEC play in the first year of the Mark Pope Era. The Wildcats are led by their guard play as Otega Oweh, Jaxson Robinson, Lamont Butler, and Koby Brea combine to score 52.3 points per game. The issue for Kentucky is that Robinson is out for the season after suffering a season ending wrist injury last week.
The Tigers have dealt with the injury bug all season, losing star Center Jalen Reed before SEC play even kicked off. The injury left LSU shorthanded inside and as Corey Chest has missed time with injury the issues have only gotten worse as he's doubtful again for this matchup. As the Tigers have been shorthanded Matt McMahon has deployed a small ball lineup but, Vyctorius Miller was injured just minutes into the Mississippi State Game and is doubtful in this matchup.
Starting Forward Dji Bailey is on the injury report for LSU but, is listed as probable for this matchup.
LSU is simply looking to build any sort of momentum going into the SEC Tournament and despite tons of chances the Tigers are still looking for a ranked win. The Tigers will have another chance to pull off an upset but, it'll need to be a strong showing by the Tigers.
How does LSU pull off the upset over Kentucky?
If LSU is going to have a chance in a game it all starts with Cam Carter having a great night, Carter has had solid nights and LSU has lost but, when Carter struggles the Tigers have no chance. Aside from Carter, the Tigers need Jordan Sears to step up and deliver a massive performance as he hasn't scored 10+ points since the start of February. If Vyctorius Miller misses the game, Mike Williams should continue to get extended playing time, and he'll need to flash like he has as of late.
The Tigers have found a glimmer of hope for the future in Freshman Center Robert Miller III who has emerged as of late. Miller needs to turn in an impressive performance down low while staying out of foul trouble as the Tigers won't have much behind him. Finally, Daimion Collins gets to face off against his former team, Collins needs to assert himself on offense as when he gets going inside he's one of LSU's best.