If you were hoping to see the LSU Men's Basketball team in a Postseason Tournament, your wish didn't come true as the LSU Tigers weren't selected for the NCAA Tournament and declined an invitation to the NIT Tournament.
BREAKING: LSU declines NIT invitation
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) March 16, 2025
STORY: https://t.co/9dsQiIPrQA pic.twitter.com/YJskuNWLe1
The Tigers weren't expected to make the NCAA Tournament but, as the Tigers and South Carolina were the only two SEC teams to miss the NCAA Tournament they were automatic qualifiers into the NIT Tournament. Neither LSU or South Carolina will play in the NIT Tournament which leaves the field without a team from the SEC Tournament.
The decision is a bit of a surprise considering Matt McMahon's team played in the NIT Tournament last season. The reality is this offseason is so important for the LSU Basketball program that it makes the most sense for the Tigers to decline and focus solely on rebuilding this roster.
The Tigers officially finish the season 14-18 with an abysmal 3-15 record in SEC Play which is unacceptable. While this season was a disappointment, Matt McMahon will be returning to LSU as the Tigers will instead further invest their resources into NIL so the Tigers can compete with the top teams in the Conference.
The only disappointment in LSU's season coming to an end is that additional games could only help some of the younger pieces that will play a big role next season but, the Tigers were so injured down the final stretch of the season that they may not be able to field a lineup.
Watching the Roster Rebuild and the Transfer Portal
The LSU Tigers already have a ton of work to do replacing its Senior class headlined by Cam Carter and Jordan Sears who carried this team in scoring all season long. Where the attention belongs is on the transfer portal as LSU could lose some promising young pieces if the bigger programs come calling. Starting this week we could start to see players announce their intentions to transfer and we could see other players enter the portal that LSU could look to nab.