re: LSU Hoops (5-2) @ #16 West Virginia (7-0) - Thurs 6:00 - ESPN2

Like you discussed, they don't shoot the ball all that well. In fact, opponents are shooting a slightly higher FG% than WVU. The difference is that due to the offensive rebounds and forced TO's, they are averaging about (if my math is correct) 20 more shots per game than their opponents and 7 more made baskets. They lead the NATION in Offensive rebounds per game and steals per game. Gray can't have 7 TO against them like he did last night.

The good news is that WVU may not be "bad" matchup for LSU. Like LSU, they like to play a pretty up-tempo game. That said, LSU's best performances have come against teams that like to play fast (UMass, Gardner-Webb, McNeese). Conversely, their worst performances have been against teams that prefer to slow the game down (ODU, Clemson, TTU).

With TQ on the court LSU has 5 guys that are comfortable handling the ball. Early on they blew UMass's press apart. If they can beat WVU's pressure, they've obviously got the athletes to get to the bucket and finish for easy points. IMO, LSU is at their worst when they are forced to play in the half-court. They tend to settle for 3's in those situations which are clearly not the strength of the team.

LSU's depth is an issue, but pressuring LSU on defense hasn't seemed to work out well for opponents.