LSU 73 vs South Carolina 82 - Recap

LSU (9-5,0-3) came into the game confident that they could get their offense back after two straight poor performances. South Carolina (11-5,1-2) came in knowing they had lost two SEC games by a combined 5 points and were ready to take that step into the victory column.While LSU was able to score 73 points in the overtime thriller, South Carolina came out on top 82-73.

Tied at 69 with the shot clock off, LSU had a chance to win this one in regulation. Anthony Hickey held the ball to make sure the Tigers got the last shot, and had a screen set by Johnny O'Bryant. JOB3 then peeled out to the top of the key, received a pass and took the open three which he missed as time expired. LSU was never able to get it going in overtime and ended the game down nine.

LSU was plagued with foul trouble. Johnny O'Bryant fouled out, and Charles Carmouche, Anthony Hickey, Andre Stringer, and Shavon Coleman ended the game with 4 each. Johnny O'Bryant and Anthony Hickey each had their 4th with more than 8:00 minutes left in regulation. Shavon Coleman picked up two early first half fouls in less than 10 seconds. Without LSU's best players on the floor, they weren't able to extend their lead, which they had most of the game.

While LSU had opportunities to win the game, it was lost with turnovers. Just four days after LSU had a season low 8 turnovers against #10 Florida, the Tigers go out and give up a season high 22. LSU out rebounded South Carolina by 4 and made 13 of 16 free throws but still couldn't get the victory. LSU has yet to put it all together in SEC play and it shows with the 0-3 record. While there were certainly mistakes, there were some positive spots as well.

After being nearly non-existent playing less than 10 minutes in 4 of the 5 previous games, Malik Morgan has really shown up the lat two games. Last night, he had 27 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers, 2 steals and a block. He ran the court well and was a menace on defense. Charles Carmouche finally found his shot again and had 13 points on only 6 field goal attempts. He was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and added 4/4 free throws. He also had a game high 5 assists and only 2 turnovers.



Corban Collins turned in the worst performance of the season as he finished the game with 7 minutes, 2 points, and 4 turnovers. After picking his game up, he has had 3 consecutive poor performances. Carmouche led the Tigers in unadjusted SoS, while Malik Morgan led LSU with a very respectable 41.37 Adjusted SoS. Hickey's stat line is impressive with the 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, but his season high 5 turnovers really hurt him and the team in this one.

The stats show how close this game was with the closest SoS ratings yet this year, only a 2.59 difference. Besides the obvious turnover difference, LSU's bench was also outscored 53-17, led by South Carolina's Michael Carrera's game high 23 points. He came into the game with South Carolina's highest Adjusted SoS at just over 46. He finished this game with Unadj SoS of 43.25 and an Adj SoS of 67.72 and a double double.

The loss really puts a damper on LSU's season prospects. With this being one of their easier match-ups, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. LSU had way more mental mistakes in this one than anyone could have expected, and they lost LSU the game.

Season Prediction:
16-13, (7-11)

Link to game photos HERE