re: LSU (11-2, 0-0) @ Missouri (6-7, 0-0) - Thurs 6:00pm - ESPN2

If LSU is going to finish above .500 in SEC play this year, they are going to have to win some games on the road. Mizzou is likely a bottom tier SEC team this year, so this sould be one of LSU's better chances to get a conf road win.

That said, as UK found out last night, it's basically a brand new season once you get into conf. play. LSU won't just be able to just overmatch Mizzou with their size like they did against USM and Savannah St. The 8 game win streak is nice, but there weren't a whole lot of teams in that bunch that were comparable to even an avg. Mizzou team.

Defense and taking care of the ball have to be points of emphasis on the road. Take care of that, and I think LSU pulls out a game that stays fairly close throughout. Give a weak Mizzou offense easy buckets and continue LSU's league leading TO rate, then things might get pretty dicey.

I'm still not sure what to think about this team. I thought there were putting it together as December went along, but then they looked like shite Saturday night against a bad team. Hopefully that was just a one game lack of focus. We'll see tomorrow.

Good job as usual SOS. I've seen those other Tigers play several times and they typically hustle their tails off. First SEC Home game of the year means LSU will run into a fired up bunch, likely having to weather some early blows but also likely able to overcome a less-talented team by virtue of what we saw at WVU. As you said, work that ball inside. I think we'll see Mo. throw some zone pretty early so Hornsby and Gray need to drill some threes. Tigers win by double digits in a typically tough SEC game.

quote:

---

I usually just read your write ups and dont comment but im bored at work so i decided to give my .02.

---

The more commenting the merrier...

quote:

---

I think the struggles on the road in conference play during the CJJ era is due to foul trouble and lack of depth inside. It seemed every conference road game JOB would get into early foul trouble in the first half and the offense would be stagnant the rest of the half.

---

Especially with comments like this... Very true. I almost made staying out of foul trouble a key to the game, but LSU has been really good at staying out of foul trouble this year. It's been probably one of the biggest reason's LSU has been better this year than last.

The one game it became an issue was at West Virginia when Mickey only played 2 minutes in the first half, but we were able to pick up the slack and still win the game. Still, a very good point.

So pumped sec play is here

quote:

---

The one game it became an issue was at West Virginia when Mickey only played 2 minutes in the first half, but we were able to pick up the slack and still win the game. Still, a very good point.

---

Didn't we luck out with West Virginia when one of their better players did the exact same?

quote:

---

Didn't we luck out with West Virginia when one of their better players did the exact same? Well, I'd say West Virginia "lucked out" as much as us... But I mean that is the only time that we have had any serious foul trouble.

---

There was nothing lucky about that win. LSU defeated a legitimate top 20 team on the road when that team played at or near their best. Tigers were just a better team. I believe they'd defeat WVU 3 out of 5 if not more on a neutral court.

LSU -2.5. Called it in a thread a few days ago. Gonna be a freakin dog fight. Need this one bad.