LSU vs Missouri: 2022 SEC Tournament game preview, TV schedule

2022 SEC Tournament Game Preview: LSU vs Missouri

When: Thursday, March 10 at 2:00 pm ET on SEC Network

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL

After defeating Ole Miss on Wednesday night in the first round of the 2022 SEC Tournament, the Tigers now face LSU in the second round on Thursday afternoon.

The SEC’s No. 5 seed in the 2022 SEC Tournament, LSU enters the week having lost three of their last five games, but are coming off an 80-77 win at home over Alabama in the regular season finale. A game that was back-and-forth throughout, the Tigers were able to secure the lead late due to some key defensive stops, a familiar sight for an LSU team that forced 21 Crimson Tide turnovers with 16 steals Saturday.

As mentioned previously, the Tigers enter the week as the No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament with a 9-9 record in conference play, as well as going 21-10 overall during the regular season. The nation’s No. 5 team in defensive efficiency according to KenPom, the Tigers are a truly elite team defensively allowing only 62.9 PPG with an SEC-leading 11.2 SPG, as well as averaging 73.2 PPG offensively.

Leading the Tigers in scoring is the 2021-22 SEC Sixth-Man of the Year Tari Eason (16.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG), while Darius Days and Xavier Pinson are both experienced options who also average in double-figures alongside freshman guard Brandon Murray. Eric Gaines and Mwani Wilkinson will both see time in the backcourt, while Efton Reid will also play a key role for the Tigers starting at center.

As for Missouri, the Tigers opened the 2022 SEC Tournament on Wednesday night with a 72-60 win over Ole Miss in the first round, a game in which the Tigers dominated the second half outscoring the Rebels 40-28. Shooting an impressive 54% from the field, the Tigers also out-rebounded Ole Miss 37-25, as well as having two players in double-figures.

The No. 12 seed in the SEC Tournament, Missouri now sits at 12-20 overall on the season, and will now be facing LSU for the second time this season (75-55 loss in Baton Rouge in late-February). Averaging 65.2 PPG, Missouri will likely have to score more than their season average to beat LSU on Thursday, as well as likely hold the Tigers to under their average of allowing 70.6 PPG to opponents.

Second Team All-SEC selection and leading scorer Kobe Brown is coming off an impressive 16-point performance against Ole Miss, as well as 14 points from forward Ronnie DeGray III. In addition to those two, Trevon Brazile will see time in the frontcourt, while the guards/wings feature four experienced options in Javon Pickett, Jarron Coleman, Amari Davis, and DaJuan Gordon.

As mentioned previously, LSU dominated the lone meeting between these two teams recently, and are the clear favorite going into this matchup. While there is always the chance that Missouri could potentially pull the upset, it’s hard to predict against LSU here.

Prediction: LSU 78, Missouri 63