Started By
Message

LSU Hoops vs Rhode Island - Sat 4:30pm - PMAC - CST

Posted on 1/3/14 at 8:36 am
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43456 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 8:36 am
Who: LSU Tigers ( 9-2) vs Rhode Island Rams (8-6)
When: Saturday, January 4th 4:30pm
Where: PMAC (Baton Rouge, 13,215, 47th NCAA)
How: TV: CST, Radio: 100.7, Stream: GeauxZone & ESPN3.com

****Note: Game will be on the radio on 100.7 due to Saints pre-game being aired on 98.1FM****

LSU enters their final out of conference game in great position. They have won their last 5 games and 9 out of their last 10. This is the final prep game before LSU's HUGE matchup with Tennessee on Tuesday January 7th (PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO BE IN BR FOR 6:00PM TUESDAY).

LSU has held 9 of its 11 opponents to less than 1 point per possession this year. This is mostly due to holding their opponents to a meager 39.6% shooting percentage from inside the arc (4th NCAA). However, they are also holding opponents to just 29.3% shooting from three point land (33rd NCAA).

They have also shot free throws better as of late. In their last game they made 23/28 (82.1%), and 70.6% against UAB. They have also been able to make their three pointers recently. They have hit 27/61 (44.3%) in their last 3 games.

Rhode Island comes into this game with only 1 win over a top 200 team (Brown 191), however they have played George Mason (61-54), Providence (50-49), and Detroit (70-68) very close and were almost able to squeak out wins. They haven't shot very well, but have managed to get to the free throw line at a very impressive rate.

LSU needs to stay out of foul trouble against a team that has made a living by getting to the line. They have forced 6 players to foul out and many, many more into 4 fouls.



While they aren't a huge team, they rebound relatively well and do not allow a ton of assists. Their assist per basket given up ratio is 15th lowest in the NCAA.

Rhode Island's tempo has been about 2 possessions slower per game. When LSU has faced slower paced teams, they have used their press to make opponents uncomfortable. Look for LSU possibly utilizing their 3/4 court trap if the game stays close.

The keys to this game are simple. Get better. The Tigers need to continue to improve their free throw shooting as well as their shooting from behind the arc. That means getting the ball into Shavon Coleman's hands in the corner. He is currently hitting 44.8% of his three pointers.

LSU needs to also limit turnovers by the post players. O'Bryant and Mickey only had 5 turnovers combined last game, which is an improvement, but they need to continue to work on protecting the basketball.

Finally, LSU needs to start seeing crowd support. Football season is over. You can turn your attention to this basketball team. If you can't be there in person, at least watch this team play on TV. They are worth your time.

Prediction:
LSU 75 - Rhode Island 60
Posted by Ignignot
Member since Mar 2009
18823 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 9:49 am to
nice writeup SOS

Tigers 80
Rams 62

Posted by theronswanson
House built with my hands
Member since Feb 2012
2976 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 9:58 am to
quote:

The Tigers need to continue to improve their free throw shooting


This is the single biggest thing we can do to dramatically improve our year. No excuse to leave points on the table, especially when SEC games will be decided by slim margins.
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43456 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:01 am to
quote:

This is the single biggest thing we can do to dramatically improve our year. No excuse to leave points on the table, especially when SEC games will be decided by slim margins.


At least Stringer, Martin, and Mickey get it... Just gotta get JOB and Hickey on board. Coleman also get's it when he's in.
Posted by theronswanson
House built with my hands
Member since Feb 2012
2976 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:02 am to
quote:

Hickey


No excuse for a guard to shoot 50%.
Posted by Beats2Geaux
In the zone....
Member since Dec 2013
1494 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:04 am to
quote:

At least Stringer, Martin, and Mickey get it... Just gotta get JOB and Hickey on board. Coleman also get's it when he's in.


As a point guard, Hickey definitely has to work harder on the free throws.
Posted by tigers32
Member since Mar 2012
5627 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:10 am to
I think this could be a good prep game for the Tigers before the Tennessee game. The Vols can get to the rim & get second chance points (Rhode Island can force a defense's hand & get to the FT line). LSU will have to play sound defense in both games.
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43456 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:14 am to
quote:

I think this could be a good prep game for the Tigers before the Tennessee game. The Vols can get to the rim & get second chance points (Rhode Island can force a defense's hand & get to the FT line). LSU will have to play sound defense in both games.


Very good assessment.

What I'm most worried about in that Tennessee game is getting into foul trouble down low. The idea of a ton of Odo or Malone on their super athletic men scares me. I like both of those players in certain matchups, but against the athleticism of Tennessee, we need guys with more fluid motion on defense.
Posted by Jrv2damac
Kanorado
Member since Mar 2004
65118 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:21 am to
quote:

Who: LSU Tigers (stacked) vs Rhode Island Rams (fricked)




I have met one person from almost every other state....but nobody from Rhode Island.
Posted by tigers32
Member since Mar 2012
5627 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:21 am to
I agree, and think Odo will be an important factor in the Tennessee game. Hopefully, our front-court can build some momentum tomorrow afternoon heading into the game on Tuesday. Mickey has to stay out of foul trouble against the Vols, but he'll give their forwards fits defensively.

As far as Hickey, I don't expect his FT shooting to improve much more. He just struggles from the line. I do expect a better percentage out of O'Bryant though. He has the ability to be a good FT shooter, and we'll need him to be one in certain games.
This post was edited on 1/3/14 at 10:22 am
Posted by nicholastiger
Member since Jan 2004
42619 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 10:24 am to
If Rhode Island has any problem getting here for the game with the weather, Alleva needs to pick up the phone and get Champion Baptist in here.
Posted by Alt26
Member since Mar 2010
28363 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:03 am to
LSU is doing all they can to increase fan support, including changing a game time to accomodate an unafiliated team playing a road game. Students are still on break, so it is what it is, but it's time for the BR metro area to step it up.

LSU football is over. Baseball is still over a month away from getting started (and over two months away from significant games). This team is playing well. It's comprised of some really good players. It plays an exciting brand of basketball (i.e. not the 58-51 games we've seen in the past). There are really no "bad" seats in the PMAC, and compared to football, tickets are affordable. This program seems to be headed in the right direction. If you can't make it Saturday, be there Tuesday. It's a national TV game and one of the biggest LSU will play at home this season
Posted by Scrowe
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2010
2926 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:06 am to
quote:

If you can't make it Saturday, be there Tuesday.


Can't make it Saturday, but I will be there Tuesday. Very excited about this team and SEC play, I've gone see them play twice so far and have watched the other televised games. Definitely not the same as past teams. This team can score points, play defense and hustle for 40 minutes. Only 2 losses are against 2 opponents who are turning out to be really good.
Posted by purplengold1
Illinois
Member since Feb 2009
5074 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:09 am to
If anybody is outside of CST viewing area, ESPN3 will be available.
Posted by Ignignot
Member since Mar 2009
18823 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:12 am to
quote:

LSU is doing all they can to increase fan support, including changing a game time to accomodate an unafiliated team playing a road game. Students are still on break, so it is what it is, but it's time for the BR metro area to step it up.

LSU football is over. Baseball is still over a month away from getting started (and over two months away from significant games). This team is playing well. It's comprised of some really good players. It plays an exciting brand of basketball (i.e. not the 58-51 games we've seen in the past). There are really no "bad" seats in the PMAC, and compared to football, tickets are affordable. This program seems to be headed in the right direction. If you can't make it Saturday, be there Tuesday. It's a national TV game and one of the biggest LSU will play at home this season


shared on FB.....excellent post
Posted by tigers32
Member since Mar 2012
5627 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:15 am to
quote:

tickets are affordable

Yep. I don't understand why some people just don't spend an afternoon or evening watching this team play. I understand everyone can't afford it & some people just don't care for basketball, but LSU basketball really isn't a bad deal right now.
quote:

There are really no "bad" seats in the PMAC

I consider the student section 'bad seating'. As a student, I don't want to sit there. It's been talked about plenty, but something needs to be done before more students want to get into the game.
Posted by SouthOfSouth
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
43456 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:15 am to
quote:

If anybody is outside of CST viewing area, ESPN3 will be available.


ESPN must have just added it! When I checked this morning it wasn't on the schedule. Went back and checked and now it's on it! Guess they liked the time change.
Posted by purplengold1
Illinois
Member since Feb 2009
5074 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:16 am to
Yeah, I was disappointed when it disappeared. Excited I get to see it now. Really happy I'll be back in BR next week
Posted by Ignignot
Member since Mar 2009
18823 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:34 am to
quote:

but something needs to be done before more students want to get into the game.


i disagree respectfully, the non-student fans are starting to show up as evidenced by the decent crowd against McNeese, its enough young people (people who were students shaq years & brady years) that we will eventually fill up the PMAC as the team continually progresses

so students if you want to show up its up to you bc we will be there
Posted by thenry712
Zasullia, Ukraine
Member since Nov 2008
15795 posts
Posted on 1/3/14 at 11:40 am to
quote:

Finally, LSU needs to start seeing crowd support. Football season is over. You can turn your attention to this basketball team. If you can't be there in person, at least watch this team play on TV. They are worth your time.




This. +1

Signed,

An LSU Tiger in Ukraine who doesn't have the opportunity to buy $5 tickets or watch them on TV.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 4Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram