Preview: LSU (10-4, 1-1) @ Ole Miss (10-5, 1-1) Wed 8pm on CST

Who: Ole Miss Rebels vs LSU Tigers
When: Wednesday, January 15th - 8:00pm (CentralTime)
Where: Tad Smith Coliseum (9,061 - 121st NCAA)
How: TV: CSS/CST, Radio: 98.1FM, Stream: ESPN3.com

Line: LSU +2.5

LSU continue's their two game road trip against Ole Miss Wednesday night at 8:00 pm. LSU has gone cold. After shooting above 50% from three point land for a few games, the Tigers have shot under 30% from three point range in each of their last three. Ole Miss' Marshall Henderson, who was suspended for the first two SEC games, has made 53 three's on the year. That is more than Hickey and Stringer combined.

LSU did see a bright spot in their road victory against likely SEC bottom-dweller South Carolina; The emergence of Jarell Martin. Martin had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in the contest while only missing 1 fg attempt and 1 free throw.



Coach made two lineup changes last game and seemed pleased with how everyone performed in their roles. He added Malik Morgan and Shavon Coleman to replace Stringer and Martin. Martin played a great game off the bench and Morgan and Coleman helped bring energy to LSU's starting lineup early in the game. While the moves may not be permanent, it is a likely lineup against Ole Miss.

One major difference this season's Ole Miss team brings is the emerging star, Jarvis Summers. Last season Summers Averaged 9.1 points per game and shot 40.4% from the field. This season Summers has drastically improved his efficiency scoring 17.9 points per game on 52.4% shooting. Containing both Summers and Henderson means the perimeter guards need to spend as much energy as possible guarding these two.

Ole Miss likes to set multiple screens to get their shooters open; Henderson in particular. Henderson has taken 138 three's on the year (shooting 38.4%) while only taking 37 two point attempts (shooting 27%). If you look at the numbers, it tells you to get out on him and try to force him to drive the basketball. He releases the ball very fast so closing out must be done before the ball is in his hands.

When in the game, Henderson takes 36.2% of the Rebels shots, that is the 7th highest shot percent in the nation. Their next 3 shot % takers all happen to be guards. Their post players all take less than 17% of the shots. So, it is obvious to see what the Rebels like to do.

LSU needs to limit turnovers and get easy shots, especially if their three's continue to miss the mark. LSU's Anthony Hickey and Andre Stringer are 1 and 2 in Ast:turnover ratio in the SEC, however, due to LSU's post players turnover prone tendencies, LSU leads the SEC in turnovers. That is astonishing. Post players have to pick it up, especially in a game where Ole Miss can score in bunches from three point land.

Prediction:
LSU 75, Ole Miss 71