Spartans Slay Sloppy LSU Basketball Team in Sweet 16
LSU Basketball got demolished by Michigan State Friday evening in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers finish the season with one of the best records in school history.
I was one of the people who got on the LSU basketball train this year. Since the scandal though, this team wasn’t the same, and that showed against Michigan State.
The Spartans embarrassed the Tigers 80-63. Michigan State overpowered the Tigers and essentially took them to the woodshed. LSU couldn’t find a way to defend the perimeter, and it cost the Tigers a trip to the Elite Eight.
Michigan State hit an astounding 13 three-pointers in the game. The Spartans shot 47 percent from the floor and 40 percent from the arc.
Four Spartans scored in double-digit points. Henry Aaron scored 20 points, eight boards, and six assists.
More from Southbound and Down
- Texas A&M vs. Auburn: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for SEC Football
- 3 Up’s, 3 Down’s from Georgia’s 24-14 Win Over South Carolina
- Ole Miss Football: Looking back at the Rebels career of Zedrick Woods
- Alabama vs. Ole Miss: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for SEC Football
- “Horns Down” will not be a Penalty in the SEC
Cassius Winston put up 17 points and eight assists. Gabe Brown added 15 points, and Xavier Tillman contributed 12 points and eight boards.
Kenny Goins had 11 rebounds and added six points for Michigan State.
As for the Tigers, they had three players score in double-digit figures. Tremont Waters led the way with 23 points, Kavell Bigby-Williams had 11 points, and Naz Reid scored 10 and brought down nine boards.
However, LSU only shot 28.6 percent from the arc and 39.3 percent overall. The Tigers didn’t make their free throws either going 9-of-14 from the line.
LSU attempted a comeback, but the Spartans were far too strong for them. This team lost its way and never found its way back on track after head coach Will Wade’s suspension.
The Tigers lost their grit and determination. They were sloppy and forced shots instead of trying to find better ones.
Reid couldn’t get into a rhythm and attempted way too many shots from the arc in my opinion. Why is the big guy taking shots from the three-point line? When LSU has shooters like Waters, Javonte Smart, and Skylar Mays, there is no reason to have the big guy shooting.
The only time the big guy should shoot that is if he is consistent with it or in transition after a steal and he is the last guy up the court, and it is a wide open shot.
Smart didn’t make a single shot and was cold the 25 minutes he played. If he wasn’t making the shots then why was he on the court? He shouldn’t have been on the court if he was that cold. Other shooters can play those minutes.
Regardless the Spartans were far too talented and experienced for the Tigers. If LSU can get Waters, Mays, and the other juniors and sophomores to stay, this squad could be right back in this situation next season.
LSU finished the season 28-7 overall and 16-2 in conference play. The Tigers are the regular season SEC Champions and were one of four SEC teams that made it to the Sweet 16 round of the 2019 tournament. LSU held a 15-2 home record and a 9-1 away game record.
This season was a memorable one for the Tigers, and the future is bright for this program if it can avoid legal issues and sanctions from the NCAA.