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LSU Hoops (5-2) @ #16 West Virginia (7-0) - Thurs 6:00 - ESPN2
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:26 am
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:26 am
Who: West Virginia Mountaineers (7-0)
What: SEC/Big12 Challenge
When: Thursday, December 4th - 6:00pm
Where: WVU Coliseum (14,000, 41st NCAA) Morgantown, WV
How:
***TV: ESPN2
***Radio: 98.1FM
***Stream: ESPN3.com
Just 46 hours after LSU's most convincing win of the season, LSU must travel to the unfriendly confines of Morgantown, West Virginia to take on the 16th ranked Mountaineers. West Virginia comes into the game 7-0 with a very impressive 10 point win over UCONN. The Mountain Men use a ton of defensive pressure and depth to ware out their opponents; a tactic that could really hurt the depthless Tigers.
While they don't wow you offensively, they have scored over 75 points in 5 of their 7 games due to two main factors; rebounding and turnovers.
The Mountaineers have rebounded 45.3% of their own misses. That is second best in the country. In fact, they have more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds (144 vs 142). It will be key for LSU to limit second chance opportunities against West Virginia.
West Virginia has even more staggering numbers in the turnover game. West Virginia averages a minuscule 10.6 turnovers per game. Even more incredible may be the 23.1 turnovers they force. The Mountaineers use high pressure to speed up their opponents. Their opponents average only 14.1 seconds per possession, which is the lowest in the NCAA. LSU will really need to make sure they protect the ball
West Virginia doesn't have a height advantage over LSU, but uses their 10 man rotation to tirelessly fight for the ball both on the boards and on defense. They have the 11th most bench minutes in the nation. They aren't a great shooting team. They average 31.2% from three point range (227th in NCAA), 47.4% from two point range (177th in NCAA), and 65.9% from the free throw line (235th in NCAA). Still, with rebounding and turnover margin, they have been able to crush opponents.
This game will take complete concentration by the Tigers. A rowdy crowd and a team that relies heavily on forcing opponents make mistakes is a true test of the mental fortitude of a team.
This is an important game for LSU. With two early losses, LSU needs a statement win to prove they deserve a look at the NCAA Tournament. This is a game that could be a huge statement win over a very good Big 12 team. The SEC has some pretty bad losses (Cue #SECBasketballFever) but Arkansas has emerged from the pack as a tournament caliber team. LSU could do the same, turning the corner on the road.
Keys to the Game:
1. Turnover Margin: LSU doesn't have to win the turnover battle, but keeping it close is imperative. LSU turned the ball over way too much against UMASS and will have to slow down their pace on offense and get good looks out of their halfcourt sets to have a chance against WVU.
2. Rebounding: Connecticut is the only team to out-rebound West Virginia this season, but the Mountain Men were still able to win due to their best shooting performance of the year. LSU will need to keep WVU off the offensive glass or it could be a long night for the Tigers.
3. Scoring in the Paint: LSU scored 52 points in the paint against UMASS and West Virginia is allowing opponents to shoot 53.9% from two point range. That could be a deadly combo for LSU's offense.
Prediction:
West Virginia 76, LSU 72
SEC/Big12 Challenge Schedule:
Wednesday, Dec 3rd
8pm - Auburn @ Texas Tech (ESPN3)
Thursday, Dec 4th
6pm - LSU @ West Virginia (ESPN2)
6pm - Baylor @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU)
8pm - Arkansas @ Iowa St (ESPN2)
8pm - TCU @ Ole Miss (ESPNU)
Friday, Dec 5th
6pm - Texas @ Kentucky (ESPN)
8pm - Florida @ Kansas (ESPN)
8:30pm - Missouri @ Oklahoma (ESPNU)
Saturday, Dec 6th
11am - Oklahoma St @ South Carolina (ESPNU)
2:15pm - Kansas St @ Tennessee (ESPNU)
This post was edited on 12/3/14 at 3:01 pm
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:34 am to SouthOfSouth
Just hope we come out like we did last night. It was very encouraging.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 11:10 am to SouthOfSouth
Like you discussed, they don't shoot the ball all that well. In fact, opponents are shooting a slightly higher FG% than WVU. The difference is that due to the offensive rebounds and forced TO's, they are averaging about (if my math is correct) 20 more shots per game than their opponents and 7 more made baskets. They lead the NATION in Offensive rebounds per game and steals per game. Gray can't have 7 TO against them like he did last night.
The good news is that WVU may not be "bad" matchup for LSU. Like LSU, they like to play a pretty up-tempo game. That said, LSU's best performances have come against teams that like to play fast (UMass, Gardner-Webb, McNeese). Conversely, their worst performances have been against teams that prefer to slow the game down (ODU, Clemson, TTU).
With TQ on the court LSU has 5 guys that are comfortable handling the ball. Early on they blew UMass's press apart. If they can beat WVU's pressure, they've obviously got the athletes to get to the bucket and finish for easy points. IMO, LSU is at their worst when they are forced to play in the half-court. They tend to settle for 3's in those situations which are clearly not the strength of the team.
LSU's depth is an issue, but pressuring LSU on defense hasn't seemed to work out well for opponents.
The good news is that WVU may not be "bad" matchup for LSU. Like LSU, they like to play a pretty up-tempo game. That said, LSU's best performances have come against teams that like to play fast (UMass, Gardner-Webb, McNeese). Conversely, their worst performances have been against teams that prefer to slow the game down (ODU, Clemson, TTU).
With TQ on the court LSU has 5 guys that are comfortable handling the ball. Early on they blew UMass's press apart. If they can beat WVU's pressure, they've obviously got the athletes to get to the bucket and finish for easy points. IMO, LSU is at their worst when they are forced to play in the half-court. They tend to settle for 3's in those situations which are clearly not the strength of the team.
LSU's depth is an issue, but pressuring LSU on defense hasn't seemed to work out well for opponents.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 11:54 am to SouthOfSouth
Ought to be a good test for the Tigers ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Icongeauxtigers.png)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Icongeauxtigers.png)
Posted on 12/3/14 at 1:41 pm to SouthOfSouth
What a huge game this is. At the end of the year the NCAA selection committee loves road wins against ranked opponents.
When the committee sees a home wim they yawn and say so what, but they stand at attention when they see a road win
When the committee sees a home wim they yawn and say so what, but they stand at attention when they see a road win
Posted on 12/3/14 at 2:05 pm to SouthOfSouth
The basketball team officially ingested tapeworms last night. It's on, frickers.
LSU 77 WVU 38.
LSU 77 WVU 38.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 2:09 pm to SouthOfSouth
Nice job SOS. LSU is capable of springing the upset but I have to lean to a close loss. Hopefully they take the next step up and prove me wrong.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 2:44 pm to SouthOfSouth
John Odo putting up 25 points and 12 rebs
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:17 pm to SouthOfSouth
Good luck tomorrow. It'd be a great win for the SEC perception wise.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:36 pm to SouthOfSouth
So, depth, turnovers and offensive boards. shite.
Posted on 12/3/14 at 10:56 pm to SouthOfSouth
I really hope can pull this one out, would be huge for our tourney chances~
Posted on 12/4/14 at 11:42 am to SouthOfSouth
LSU 75-67
Gray scores 25
Odo scores 6
Gray scores 25
Odo scores 6
Posted on 12/4/14 at 12:05 pm to SouthOfSouth
Super Hillbilly-Coonass Hyrbrid Master Race Tiger checking in..
Im here to put inferior hillbillies in their place...
Im talking to you, SCH
Im here to put inferior hillbillies in their place...
Im talking to you, SCH
Posted on 12/4/14 at 12:20 pm to SouthOfSouth
This is a NCAA selection committee win right here!
LSU needs this one bad to offset the poor performance while they were on vacation last week.
LSU needs this one bad to offset the poor performance while they were on vacation last week.
Posted on 12/4/14 at 6:04 pm to SouthOfSouth
When in doubt, it's a blocking foul.
frick these officials.
frick these officials.
Posted on 12/4/14 at 8:22 pm to SouthOfSouth
Picked against the tigers two games in a row! Two wins for the tigers! ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconcheers.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconcheers.gif)
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