Get to Know: The #9 Seeded LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers finished the season will a record of 22-10 overall and finished 3rd in the SEC with a conference record of 11-7. LSU was considered one of the last few teams to get into the tournament leading into Selection Sunday, but apparently the NCAA Committee saw them as a stronger candidate for the dance than many media outlets. So lets delve into exactly who LSU is by recapping their season and giving some key stats.

Good Wins: 

The Tigers had three wins against RPI* top 50 teams this season.

• @ West Virginia 74-73 (December 4th)
• VS Georgia 87-84 (January 10th)
• @ Arkansas 81-78 (March 7th)

Bad Losses: 

LSU had their share of bad losses this season as they lost 5 games to teams with an RPI lower than 100.

• VS Clemson 64-61 (November 24th)
• VS Auburn twice 81-77 (February 5th); 73-70 (March 7th)
• @ Missouri 74-67
• @ Mississippi State 73-67

Recent Form:

Over the last 12 games the Tigers have been a 500 club going 6 and 6. They were knocked out of the SEC Tournament by Auburn in OT. Even though their most recent loss was by a lowly Auburn team they did knock off Top 25 Arkansas on the road before losing in their first conference tournament game.

Summary: 

Throughout the season LSU has shown the capability to play with any team in the country as they have had three good wins against teams that are all in the field of 68. Another impressive feat for the Tigers is their road record. On the road LSU won 8 out of 11 games. They have also done a great job of winning close games. Many of their wins this season have been by a narrow margin, this fact alone will make them a difficult out! In their lone match up with undefeated Kentucky the Tigers only lost by 2 points. One of the major reason LSU was considered a bubble team is because they played a weak schedule. They finished the season with a strength of schedule of 97, and a non-conference strength of schedule of 182.

Team Statistics: 

• Points Per Game: 73.7 (41st NCAA)
• Rebounds Per Game: 39.2 (12th NCAA)
• Assists Per Game: 15.7 (17th NCAA)
• Field Goal %: 45% (77th NCAA)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 67.7 (210th NCAA)
• Defensive Rebounds Per Game: 27.1 (8th NCAA)
• Blocks Per Game: 6.2 (7th NCAA)
• Steals per Game: 7.3 (60th NCAA)

Individual Statistics: 

• Jarell Martin #1 Forward (6-10 236 lbs.) 16.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG
• Jordan Mickey #25 Forward (6-8 235 lbs.) 15.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG
• Keith Hornsby #4 Guard (6-4 210 lbs.) 13.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG
• Tim Quarterman #55 Guard (6-6 187 lbs.) 11.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG
• Josh Gray #5 Guard (6-1 182 lbs.) 7.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG

Summary: 

Offense and rebounding are the strengths of the LSU Tigers. It is impressive that they have four players averaging double figures and a fifth player not far behind. By having a balanced attack LSU has been able to cause their opponents problems as they cannot simply key on one player. Offensively the Tigers like to get up and down the court. If you need proof of how athletic the Tigers are check out this video of transition buckets versus Florida this season. LSU will be extremely pumped to play against an ACC team in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament, in the regular season they only faced one ACC member in the Clemson Tigers. The number one reason why the Tigers will be a tough out is because of their front court. Martin and Mickey are the two cogs that will prove to give NC State all they can handle as they lead LSU in both PPG and RPG.  

* RPI: Rating Percentage Index is a measure of strength of schedule and how a team does against that schedule. The higher the RPI   a team has the better.