When the LSU Basketball team entered the season, there were little to no expectations, for this team. No one expected this team could win the SEC and no one expected they'd finish in the top half of the Conference. There was still an expecation and a hope that the Tigers would be competitivie in the SEC and could surprise some teams.
After the Tigers 83-67 loss against Missouri even being competitive in the SEC is a concern for this team. Missouri entered the game on a 19 game losing streak in the SEC which meant that they were one of the easier teams on LSU's schedule.
LSU Basketball is now off to an 0-2 start in SEC play with games against 23rd ranked Ole Miss, Arkansas, 10th ranked Texas A&M, 5th ranked Alabama, and 2nd ranked Auburn all left on the schedule for this month.
This game started the same way as the Vanderbilt game, LSU let a sloppy and slow start take them out of a game. After turnovers were an issue last game the Tigers cut down on their first half turnovers turning it over 10 times allowing Mizzou to score 14 points. The added punch LSU took was that it allowed 9 offensive rebounds in the first half allowing 12 second chance points.
The Tigers are clearly missing the presence of Jalen Reed but, other players need to step up in his absence. On Tuesday Night, Curtis Givens III was a lone bright spot scoring 15 points off the bench overcoming some of his recent struggles.
Jordan Sears and Vyctorius Miller combined for just 7 points which isn't enough for this team as they'll need far more if they're going to go on a run in SEC play. In the end it wouldn't have mattered but, LSU can't afford to shoot 68.4% from the free throw line like they did this game.
Matt McMahon has a few games to work with his team before their next big test when they take on Ole Miss on the road.