LSU 58 vs aTm 54 Final Congrats CJJ 1st SEC WIN!

Who: LSU vs. Texas A&M
When: 7:00pm Wednesday
Where: PMAC
How:
TV: SEC Network
Radio: 201 XM, 98.1FM (Baton Rouge)
Stream: ESPN3.com

LSU (9-6, 0-4) comes back home to the PMAC to face Texas A&M (12-5, 2-2) in a very important game for both teams. LSU looks to rebound after another close loss, while the Aggies are on a two game skid after starting out 2-0. After Texas A&M beat Arkansas and Kentucky, they have consecutive losses to Florida and Alabama. While LSU lost to Florida by 22, the Aggies lost by 21. Both teams fared better than the other teams to face Florida lately (UGA lost by 33, Missouri lost by 31).

LSU will most likely be without backup point guard Corban Collins who left the last Tigers game late in the second half with some kind of head trauma. LSU is already without Eddie Ludwig (undisclosed) and Charles Carmouche (knee), so the Tigers will go with the 8 left on the roster.

Texas A&M doesn't go very deep into their bench either. They have 9 players who play over 10 minutes per game compared to LSU's 11. They do not have anyone who will be able to physically bully LSU around, but 6'9" 230 senior, Ray Turner, is a threat down low. He has been very efficient getting fouled drawing 5.7 fouls per 40min (128th in NCAA) and has shot 69 free throws on the year (No LSU player over 53 FT attempts). LSU will also have to deal with 6'5" senior guard Elston Turner who is averaging 16.1 points per game.

This Texas A&M squad has been able to shoot from deep very well, hitting their threes at a .376 rate (LSU shoots .347), and while Texas A&M doesn't force a lot of turnovers, they do not commit many either. LSU will try to force Texas A&M into making more mistakes than normal, which has been a strong suit of the Tigers all season.



LSU has been pleasantly surprised with the way Malik Morgan has filled in for the injured Charles Carmouche. He has been good defensively all season, but has added some offense the past few games and scored a career high 11 against Georgia. Del Piero was limited to 2 pts, 2 rebounds versus Georgia, his worst performance of the SEC schudle, but look for him to come back well in this one where he may be guarded by some smaller players in the 6'6" to 6'8" range.

Texas A&M will likely play a lot of zone defense against LSU, who has struggled against some zones this season, especially when they aren't shooting well. Look for LSU to continue to push the tempo to try and score before the zone can be adjusted. Even with the players out, LSU knows that they have struggled against zones this season.



Johnny O'Bryant had a very impressive 16 point, 14 rebound game Saturday and looks to continue his aggressive play. He was using his post moves going toward the basket rather than using his fade away jump shot and was much more successful. He needs to continue to do so. It was most evident in his 8 free throw attempts, his most of the season.

Don't sleep on this LSU team quite yet. While they are 0-4 in league play, there is a very fine line between victory and defeat. LSU has straddled the line so far this season and look to jump on the right side of it starting Wednesday night in the PMAC.

Prediction: LSU 68, Texas A&M 64