re: The thing I like about McMahon is the team seems poised at all times

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The best thing about last night is how LSU got back on defense every time Arkansas tried to fast break

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More than that, the No.1 reason LSU won last night it because the limited the turnovers. Arkansas is not a great "shooting" team. They are, however, one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers and then turning those turnovers into point. That's how they win. Coming into the game Arkansas was turning opponents over on nearly 25% of their opponents' possessions. Last night they only turned LSU over on ~15% of LSU's possessions, and they only scored 4 points off LSU turnovers. That's how you win a game where your offense wasn't very good.

At the beginning of the season LSU was among the worst in the nation in turnovers. That was killing their offense. Gradually the team has cleaned that up. I think the reason is McMahon has kind of accepted what his team is. Coming into the season McMahon wanted to play an uptempo game with a lot of possessions. LSU was playing at a faster tempo...and they were also turning the ball over a ton. They have now morphed into a half court, (relatively) low possession team...which can be a good strategy when you don't have tremendous athletes. Credit to him for not forcing the team to play a style that doesn't fit them. A lot of coaches have a philosophy and will demand their teams to play that style come hell or highwater.

While LSU wants to score more, and it had to drive McMahon crazy to miss so many shots at the rim, I think this may be one of those team that will try to just grind out low possession half-court games. That style is not the most fun to watch. But if executed well can be very effective.