On Wednesday Night, the LSU Basketball team faces off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Last season, these teams met in the first round with the Bulldogs pulling out the win behind Josh Hubbard's 24 point game. Both teams have undergone a ton of changes since that game but, both teams have a ton to gain by winning this game.
When LSU and Mississippi State faced off to start March, the Bulldogs won 81-69 as they flipped the switch in the second half. Josh Hubbard and Cam Carter went head to head, carrying their teams, but, Hubbard's 30 point game bested LSU once again. If LSU is going to flip the script in this game, the Tigers need these three things to play out.
Cam Carter has to be Superman
LSU winning any game this season starts and ends with Cam Carter putting on the cape and playing like Superman. In LSU's win over Arkansas, Carter scored 27 points; in the Tigers' win over Oklahoma, Carter scored 29 points; in LSU's win over South Carolina, Carter scored 17 points. If LSU is going to have any chance at surviving to see another game, it starts and ends with Cam Carter putting the team on his back once again.
In the first matchup between LSU and Mississippi State, Cam Carter scored 23 points in an efficient day shooting but, he didn't get any support from his teammates. The Bulldogs will do whatever they can to take Carter away but, when he gets a good look he'll need to score.
One of LSU's Bigs needs to be a factor
When LSU lost Jalen Reed prior to SEC Play, the Tigers' season was derailed as LSU lost a player that could get easy buckets on the inside and one of their best rebounders. Corey Chest will also miss this game with an injury, while Noah Boyde is questionable which leaves LSU shorthanded. If LSU is going to have any chance in this game one of the Tigers bigs will need to make an impact on offense and on the glass.
When Daimion Collins asserts himself on offense, it solves a ton of the Tigers' problems as it takes pressure off of Carter. At times, Robert Miller has shown dominant flashes but, he also hasn't been a factor as of late for LSU. Derek Fountain went 4-4 from the field which could make him a massive factor in this game.
Stopping Josh Hubbard
When these teams faced off to start the Month, Cam Carter's incredible performance was overshadowed by Josh Hubbard scoring 30 points on 9-18 shooting from the field despite a 2-11 game from three. Where Hubbard burnt LSU the most is by getting to the free throw line where he went 10-11 getting easy points constantly.
The entire defensive gameplan has to be centered around slowing Josh Hubbard in this matchup as the Bulldogs become much easier to beat when he's not in a rhythm. The Tigers can't go down by allowing the opponents best player to beat them and if someone else steps up and wins the game, you can live with it.