It's been a busy week and a half for the LSU athletics department. Following the firing of Brian Kelly, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry directly called out Scott Woodward, who has now parted ways with the school. The university also hired a new president, Wade Rousse, and has an interim athletic director, Verge Ausberry, along with an interim football coach, Frank Wilson. While all eyes are on LSU, the men's basketball program has begun a vital 2025-26 campaign.
LSU football linked to SEC DC to replace Brian Kelly that fans are totally split on
As LSU men's basketball head coach Matt McMahon embarks on his fourth season in Baton Rouge, Tiger fans are eager for more success. McMahon is now into Year 4 of his 7-year contract at LSU, and has seen little success. The 2025-26 season could be a make or break campaign for McMahon.
Tiger basketball fans are ready for more wins in 2025-26
McMahon came to LSU in March 2022 after compiling a 153-67 overall record at Murray State. He led the Racers to 3 NCAA Tournament appearances with a pair of wins. Unfortunately, that success has not translated to his tenure in Baton Rouge.
McMahon has led the Tigers to an underwhelming 45-53 overall record, which equates to a winning percentage of .459. LSU has struggled mightily in SEC play under McMahon, owning a 14-40 mark in SEC games (.259 win percentage). The Tigers have yet to make the NCAA Tournament under McMahon, and this season could be tournament-or-bust for the Tiger head coach.
LSU made the NCAA Tournament in 3 of 4 seasons from 2018-22 before the NCAA served the program with a notice of allegations based on their investigations into recruiting violations under head coach Will Wade. The program has fallen on tough times, and McMahon's inability to win on a consistent basis has only dug the program into a deeper hole.
The Tigers haven't won an SEC title since 2019, a year in which they went to the Sweet 16. In total, the LSU men's basketball program has 24 NCAA Tournament appearances with 4 Final 4 appearances. After a less-than-ideal 3-15 mark in SEC play last season, it would take a lot for LSU to compete for a conference title in a loaded SEC. Even if it doesn't result in a conference title, McMahon needs to show that he's capable of taking the program back to the NCAA Tournament.