re: LSU NCAA Tournament

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Not many 13 and above seeded teams have won a tourney game much less two.

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No at-large team is going to be No. 13 seed. Do you even watch the tournament?

I know it means a lot to most people and cetainly from a money standpoint to the LSU Athletic Dept. But to me if we don't have a realistic chance of advancing then what's the point.

Again I know I am in the minority but I would rather win the NIT and leave the season with good feelings than get blown out in a first round NCAA tournament game.

This team has been so much of a disappointment to me, not because of the won/loss record, but because of the turnovers and overall sloppy play.

I am a true basketball fan. I like to see the game played at a high level with smart plays and good, crisp passes. We have seen some of that from this team but it is offset by so much that is the opposite.

For some reason it is just very hard to watch this team play and this comes from a guy who watched almost every game Trent's teams played. Perhaps it is expectations vs reality. How can a guy like Josh Gray with so much talent and proven scoring ability shoot air balls and make unforced turnovers?

I know he hasn't done it on purpose and I feel for the guy but as a fan it is just painful to watch. Likewise I am thrilled for Quarterman that his game has improved so much, especially his outside shooting. But where does he get off heaving the ball at the basket from practically half court when he is supposed to be sick?

Martin has really buckled down and is playing with spirit and determination. So how does he dissapear in a game where we really need him? Hornsby has great heart and hustle but has trouble creating a shot by himself. So where are the pick plays that free up our best outside shooter? And why is he reluctant to take a shot sometimes when he is open?

When you are working the ball around the outside of a zone, you have to take a quick shot and be able to knock it down with someone in your face. He can do it, I have seen him do it, so take the shot.

Patterson has been a huge surprise on the positive side. His shot has been something we really need. But he is a freshman and does freshman things sometimes. But wow do we need him well and back on the court.

So I will let the rest of you worry about the tournament. I am just hoping that the next game will be relatively well played and won't having me wishing I could fast forward through the sloppy play and actually see some great basketball.

Winning the next two home games will keep them off of the bubble for a while. Few expect them to defeat UK so that's not critical as for as seeding. If they come out of the UK game at 18-6 they'll be in good shape for the home stretch in conference.

I'm not saying we would be blown out anymore than I know we would win the NIT if we are in that. I was just saying that if those were the two options which one I would choose.

I have no doubt this team can play well against top competition. That is what is so frustrating. We have all the parts in place but they are not playing like a well oiled machine. And no I don't put all the blame on CJJ.

But as I said previously, no matter the reasons, what I am hoping to see from here on out is better play with fewer turnovers. Most NCAA games are relatively low scoring half court offense games with a premium on defense, rebounding, free throw shooting and few turnovers.

Let's hope we can respond to the challenge.

I'm just thinking about Kentucky. I won't be mad if we lose (it's Kentucky) but I don't want to be run out of our own gym, which is what will happen if we play like we did Saturday.

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That means we can only lose 3 more conference games, four if we have a win against UK or a close loss to UK.

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If we beat UK all we will need is a winning SEC record to go dancing. At 9-9 we would still have a shot

We're far from eliminated. It's 2/3 and we've lost 5 games.

However, as Captain Obvious can point out, losing to bad teams will not help.

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If we beat UK all we will need is a winning SEC record to go dancing. At 9-9 we would still have a shot

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A Kentucky win would be great, but I think you are over valuing it a little. Beat Kentucky and 11 wins gets you in. 10 you would still need a win in the tournament. 9 you better make the SEC Championship game.

Keep in mind if we are 9-9 in the conference our record in the last 10 games of the season would not be good. Trending down with a .500 record in conference and 20-11 overall record. Maybe that got the job done 10 years ago in the SEC, but not this year.

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Need to finish the season strong, though.

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Just some numbers, without commentary...

Combined SEC record of teams LSU has beaten in conference play: 19-25
Combined SEC record of teams that have beaten LSU in conference play: 11-14
Combined SEC record of teams LSU has left to play in conference: 48-37

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If we beat UK all we will need is a winning SEC record to go dancing. At 9-9 we would still have a shot

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Absolutely not.

While it will get slightly better as the SEC schedule goes along, LSU's overall strength of schedule is bad. Currently they have the worst SOS in the league and 3rd worst non-conf SOS. The committee has made it abundantly clear that who you play and beat in Nov/Dec is just as important as who you play and beat in Jan/Feb. LSU did themselves no favors with their weak OOC schedule. There is very little margin of error in SEC play for LSU.

How important is SOS when you're on the bubble?

Tennessee made the field last year with an 11-7 SEC record. However, they had the 11th toughest schedule in the nation (41 OOC schedule)

SMU was 23-9 and ranked in the top 25 in the final polls before selection Sunday. They stayed home because their schedule was terrible, especially their OOC schedule which was one of the worst in the nation.

LSU isn't in as bad of shape as SMU last year, but it will take at least 11 SEC wins to put them in the conversation (12 should get them in)