Cal State Fullerton(3-4) @ LSU(5-0) Preview, Tues 7pm, (FSN)

$5 tickets are available for this game!
Lower level tix avail on Marketplace


at Texas State 66-76 (L)
at Hawaii 90-76 (W)
HOP 106-60 (W)
at Portland State 75-76 (L)
*#15 Wake Forest 69-75 (L)
*Saint Mary's 54-79 (L)
*Charlotte 92-84 (W)

*neurtal court


Cal State Fullerton finished last season with a 24-9 record, and they lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Wisconsin. However, they are a much different team considering they only return one starter from last year's squad. Josh Akognon (5-11, 185 Guard) was named to the Big West Pre-season first team, and he's currently averaging 24.4 points per game on the young season. Their starting lineup consists of three guards, and the other two guards measure in at 6'2, 185 (Marcio Lassiter-Senior) and 6'0, 175 (Jacques Streeter-Freshman). Their "big" men are listed at 6'6, 205 (Gerard Anderson) and 6'8, 210 (Papa Guisse). Their lineup is obviously pretty small, and LSU should have the size advantage. After watching CSF play Wake Forest for only a few minutes, they will likely try to turn this game into a track meet. They do average 19 turnovers per game, so they must play pretty wild at times. It appears they will play a mixture of man to man and some zone (which will be good practice for LSU). They aren't a great team by any means, but could certainly give LSU all they want and more if they aren't ready to play ball (see WF score above).

My prediction:

LSU-78
CSF-63
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Following preview compliments of msutiger:

Promotion
-First 1500 fans get free pom-poms (Sorry If Misspelled)
Players To Watch:
Josh Akognon
- Averages 24 ppg. He has been the high scorer in all but 1 of their 7 games so far this season. He averages 33.4 minutes a game so look for him to be on the court most of the game. One thing that might hurt him is his size, he is 5-11, 185. He will be the smallest player on the court followed by his counter Bo Spencer who is 6-1 185.

Marcus Thornton-
-LSU doesn't have a player that averages 20 or more ppg......yet. Marcus Thornton has struck fire the last few games as he averages 15.4 ppg. Thornton had major struggles in 3 of LSU's first 4 games.In the 1st game of the season against Jackson State he only managed 5 points. The following game against Alcorn State he put up 8. The following week Thornton caught fire putting up 25 against an over matched Northwestern team. Thornton then cooled off and put up 9 on Centenary. But nobody could stop him last night as Thornton was hot. Thornton put up 32 on the Troy Trojans. Nobody could do anything to stop this kid hand in his face and yet he would still bury the three ball. If Thornton can be as hot as he was in 2 of the last 3 i dont think this game will even be close.

Height Comparison- Minutes Per Game
Fullerton Top 5:
1)Adam Thomas - 7'2 - 6.6
2)Ray Miller - 6'8 - 15.9
3)Papa Guisse - 6'8 - 22.9
4)Orane Chin - 6'7 - Has Not Played A Second
5)Gerard Anderson - 6'6 - 27

So they have the height there but these players dont seem to get much action. Espically the 7'2 Adam Thomas.

Fullerton Key Stats:
-78.9-75.1 (They barely outscore their opponents)
-Fullerton shoots 72% from the stripe
-Fullerton average just under 20 turnovers a game which will be the key if the tigers can get fast break points and grab the early lead and momentum.
- Fullerton averages 5.3 steals per game
- Fullerton has outscored its oppenents by 6 in the first half. They have also outscored their opponents by 12 in the second half.
--------With this stat in mind look for the tigers to have a secure lead at the half as it looks as if this team does not score enough points to come from behind.

LSU Key Stats:
-80.6-57
-LSU shoots just over 73% from the free throw line
-LSU turns the ball over 13 times a game.
-The tigers average 8 steals a game.
-LSU has outscored its opponents by 71 in the first half. LSU has outscored its opponents by 47 in the second half.

Attendance
- LSU averages 8906 a game. Hopefully all you fans dont decide to watch the game on TV. Come out and support a great basketball team who in my mind is certainly NCAA Tournament Type caliber team. Bo Spencer has earned most improved play as he has looked outstanding. Tasmin Mitchell has played great to this point. Garrett Temple has his usual outstanding defense but has also offensively produced at times.

My Prediction
Tigers 87
Fullerton 68

I look forward to seeing a large crowd.