LSU Tiger Basketball Toughness?

LSU actually got off to a good start vs. MSU. Then they couldn't stop turning the damn ball over. They second half LSU struggled on defense, but Waters kept LSU above water long enough to allow Reid to take over in OT.

IMO, the bounce back vs. Auburn was much more impressive. To get absolutely barraged by 3's early, only to completely reverse course on defense in the second half was impressive.

Tonight should be a war on the glass. UK suffocates opponents because they play great defense AND they don't give you second chances. If LSU can get the second chances they've gotten recently, then they have a real shot. LSU has won recently despite not being able to shoot it well from outside. The second half vs. AU was as well as LSU has shot it from 3 in a month. Hopefully that continues

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The second half vs. AU was as well as LSU has shot it from 3 in a month

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Yes, hopefully Mays is now coming out of his slump.

Now, Smart needs to come out of his.

Just keep shooting!

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I am worried about the our post players getting in to foul trouble. We have 4 reliable players but one or two get in to foul trouble we could see problems on the boards.

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E. Williams and Days are great rebounders in their own right. In fact, Reid is the "weakest" rebounder of the 4. With KBW and/or Reid out your worry more about rim protection than rebounding. That said, this is probably one of the few UK teams that doesn't have a 6'10+ post player that really scares you. Washington and Travis are great players. But I'm more confident in E. Williams and Days being able to at least hang with them vs. a 6'10 monster against whom they'd have no shot.

Talent is not the issue. Focus, discipline, and motivation are. When this team is engaged and locked in it can compete with anyone. My fear is will have one of those where they go through stretches looking like a group that has never played the game before, will not able to recover, and have it cost them dearly.

This team is battle-tested and that will help/show come tournament time. They've gotten punched in the mouth and knocked down in 4 of the last 5 games and picked themselves off the mat. I understand that ideally they really shouldn't be in those positions, but that's basketball and runs happen.

Obviously, we would all like for them not to go cold for such long stretches in games, and it's a little alarming that it's been happening so frequently. But, this team has shown it has no quit and can and will fight its way back. Combine that with our guys continuing to jell and hopefully minimizing our scoring droughts, that's a scary combo with our talent/athleticism.