Basketball: LSU (13-10,3-6) vs Alabama (16-7,5-4) | Sat 6PM | PMAC | TV:ESPN2

Basketball: LSU (13-10,3-6) vs Alabama (16-7,5-4) | Sat 6PM | PMAC | TV:ESPN2

SoS’s Power Rankings 2/5/12
1. Kentucky
2. Florida
3. Miss St
4. Vanderbilt
5. Alabama
6. LSU
7. Ole Miss
8. Arkansas
9. Tennessee
10. Auburn
11. Georgia
12. South Carolina

General Overview

There are three main differences in this game versus the game played on Jan 11th. First is location. Obviously LSU has played better at home and Bama has also struggled a little bit on the road. Second big difference is we were without JOB3 during the first meeting. JOB has come in and really helped on the boards in SEC play averaging 7.5v rebounds per SEC contest. And last but not least, Alabama suspended F Tony Mitchell this past week. Though Alabama played well against Auburn without him, it was only Auburn.

LSU lost their last game versus Vandy mostly due to poor shooting. They were able to do well on the rebounding and only had 6 turnovers the entire game. If LSU can get it’s shooters going, this team could be tough to beat. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case. Stringer has really been off since his fainting spells, and Hickey has started to miss some good looks as well. Turner had a solid game against Vandy and looks to improve on a season that has been a letdown/soph slump for him.

The PMAC should be pretty electric with the night game. LSU needs to play well in their national coverage game on ESPN2. Obviously this will be a game people will see and with Alabama on the bubble and LSU closely behind them it could be a season changing game if the Tigers play their best.

Schedule and SEC stakes

Kentucky has put some space between them and the rest of the pack and Florida, Vandy and Miss State has the top 4 rounded out pretty set, but Many believe a 5th team will make the NCAA Tourney so that leaves Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, and Ole Miss fighting for what will probably be the last spot. Ultimately it is possible these teams beat up on each other so much that none make the tourney but I think the SEC has enough respect this year and with a down ACC year to get the 5th team in.

Obviously those stats alone make this a huge game, but even more than that this is where LSU has to start playing the way they want to finish the season. If that is lethargic, then expect the rest of the season to go down poorer than any of us hope, but if we can come out and attack Alabama and their tough man to man defense, hopefully it will help set the tone for how we finish out the season.

PG Matchup

#1 Anthony Hickey 5’10” 172 Freshman
Vs.

#22 Andrew Steele 6’4” 230 Junior

2 Guard Matchup

#10 Andre Stringer 5’9” 170 Sophomore
Vs.

#12 Trevor Releford 6’1” 180 Sophomore

3 Guard Matchup

#22 Ralston Turner 6’6” 193 Sophomore
Vs.

#20 Levi Randolph 6’5” 185 Freshman[b]


[b]Forward Matchup

#2Johnny O’Bryant 6’9” 260 Freshman
Vs.

#15 Nick Jacobs 6’8” 250 Freshman


Center Matchup

#41 Justin Hamilton 7’0” 260 Junior
Vs.

#1 JaMychal Green 6’8” 228 Senior

Stats:



Prediction:

LSU 63 Alabama 57

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