LSU (18-10,9-8) vs Ole Miss (22-8,11-6) - PMAC - Sat 12:30 - SECN

Who: LSU Tigers (18-10,9-8) vs Ole Miss Rebels/Black Bears (22-8,11-6)
When: Saturday, March 9 - 12:30pm
Where: Baton Rouge, LA - PMAC (13,215 - 47th NCAA)
How:
TV: SECN ( SEE AFFILIATES HERE)
Radio: 98.1FM, 201XM, 132Sirius
Stream: ESPN3.com

It's LSU's Senior Day. It's the last regular season home game for Charles Carmouche, Andrew Del Piero, and Eddie Ludwig, but Ole Miss has victory on their mind. Ole Miss is squarely on the bubble for an opportunity to compete in College Basketball's "Big Dance", the NCAA Tournament. On the other hand, LSU is playing to better position themselves for the SEC tournament.

The LSU seniors are comprised of three very different stories. Eddie Ludwig, the Country Day prep star, comes into his final game of a four year career injured. He will be remembered for taking charges and having a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Andrew Del Piero, will always be remembered for walking onto the LSU Basketball team and losing his music scholarship. The Ex-Tuba player has growingly increased his production and earned a scholarship for his senior year. He has logged significant minutes as a senior and started many games for LSU at center.

This is the first and last year for Charles Carmouche who played at UNO and Memphis prior to coming to LSU. The New Orleans native has burst onto the scene recently with five 20 point games in the last six contests. While his offense has been impressive, he will be remembered for his hard nosed, tough perimeter defense.



Ole Miss is currently on the bubble, but have lost their last five away games. They are led by star junior Marshall Henderson, who leads the SEC in scoring. He has taken 327 three point shots, 118 two point shots, and 156 free throws. He does shoot an impressive 35.8% from deep and will be a tough challenge for Charles Carmouche who will undoubtedly be given the role of guarding the SEC's leading scorer. Henderson also brings "energy and passion" to the court to put it kindly ( MORE INFO HERE).

Ole Miss brings more than just Marshall Henderson to the court. Both Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner have consistently been forces down low. Holloway is nearly averaging a double double and will be a tough defender on Johnny O'Bryant.



LSU will need to stop the trio of Holloway, Buckner, and Henderson from taking over the game. Ole Miss has struggled on the road lately, while LSU is an impressive 14-2 at home. As a team, Ole Miss has been very impressive protecting the ball. They are 8th in the country in turnovers per possession. They are also 8th in possessions per game. Ole Miss runs. The teams are very similar in the way they play the game, but LSU has the advantage as the home team.

Prediction:
LSU 80, Ole Miss 73



FINAL SATURDAY GAMES:
Florida @ Kentucky - 11:00am (CBS)

Ole Miss @ LSU - 12:30 (SECN)

S Carolina @ Vandy - 12:30 (SECN)

Texas A&M @ Ark - 1:00 (ESPNU)

Missouri @ Tennessee - 3:00 (ESPN)

UGA @ Bama - 3:00 (SECN)

Auburn @ Miss St - 4:30 (FSN)


LSU fans are looking for Georgia to lose to Alabama and Tennessee to beat Missouri. Tiger fans feel comforted knowing you are rooting for home teams. The SEC has been a tough conference to win on the road. Also, both Bama and Tennessee are playing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. If LSU is able to win and get Bama and Tennessee wins, LSU will hold the SEC's 7 seed.

Below I have completed a projected bracket if all games play out the way I see them playing out. This includes wins by Florida, LSU, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi State. Not only is this projected, but would be the best case scenario for LSU. I think Tennessee over Missouri is a good pick as well as Alabama over Georgia. Both teams have played well at home. I also think this bracket gives LSU a great chance of making it to the final.

PROJECTED SEC TOURNEY SEEDINGS