Basketball: LSU (13-9,3-5) @ Vanderbilt (16-7,5-3) | Wed 8PM | TV:CSS/Cox4

Basketball: LSU (13-9,3-5) @ Vanderbilt (16-7,5-3) | Wed 8PM | TV:CSS/Cox4

SoS’s Power Rankings 2/5/12
1. Kentucky
2. Florida
3. Miss St
4. Vanderbilt
5. Alabama
6. LSU
7. Ole Miss
8. Arkansas
9. Tennessee
10. Auburn
11. Georgia
12. South Carolina

***** My guess is top 5 get bids to Tourney*****

General Overview

Vandy has been a team who has received high praise as a possible final four sleeper team this season. Overall, they have played some solid games, but have also had some games where you just wonder what happened. They like to play their starters a long time and love hitting the three pointers. Each of their starters average over 9 ppg and have their 2 and 3 position players averaging 17.7 and 19.7! at 6’4” and 6’7” their big guards will be tough for us to guard. Look to see some Eddie and Courtney in the game to try and stop the big guys on the perimeter.

Overall the biggest way LSU could stop Vandy is to control the perimeter defense. They shoot the 18th best 3 pt percentage in the country at almost 40%! They have been susceptible to turnovers so pressuring passes and jumping passing lanes could help LSU negate their high shooting percentages. Surprisingly, Vandy has not been able to lock down home field advantage. They already have 4 losses at home including Cleveland St and Indiana St.

The big thing most people like about them is they are very experienced. 5 of their top 6 players are seniors, while the other is a junior. Yea, that’s right. They play upperclassmen galore. Taylor and Jenkins are both serious problems for any defense, so TJ needs to have a serious gameplan for both of them.

Schedule and SEC stakes

This game for LSU is the last game they shouldn’t win on their schedule. If LSU pulls this one out, look for a very strong finish. Vandy did fall out of the top 25 this week, but are still a very solid team. They have lost their last 2 games @Arkansas and @Florida and have to worry about Kentucky coming to town this weekend so hopefully LSU can catch them off their guard. It is definitely a setup for a game that they may not have their heads 100% in while they could easily be looking ahead to Kentucky (College gameday will be on campus). LSU has Alabama at home this weekend. A win vs. Vandy may be the big win many here think LSU needs in order to build their resume.

As of now LSU has beaten 2-3 tournament teams. If LSU can finish the season off with wins over Vandy, Miss St, and/or Bama look for LSU to really bump up their quality wins. A loss in this game doesn’t kill LSU’s chances, but would make going 7-0 the rest of the way almost necessary to go to the Dance.

PG Matchup

#1 Anthony Hickey 5’10” 172 Freshman
Vs.

#1 Brad Tinsley 6’3” 210 Senior

2 Guard Matchup

#10 Andre Stringer 5’9” 170 Sophomore
Vs.

#23 John Jenkins 6’4” 220 Junior

3 Guard Matchup

#22 Ralston Turner 6’6” 193 Sophomore
Vs.

#44 Jeffrey Taylor 6’7” 225 Senior

Forward Matchup

#2Johnny O’Bryant 6’9” 262 Freshman
Vs.

#5 Lance Goulbourne 6’8” 230 Senior

Center Matchup

#41 Justin Hamilton 7’0” 260 Junior
Vs.

#3 Festus Ezeli 6’11” 255 Senior




Stats:



Prediction:

LSU 68 Vanderbilt 60