For the second time in just over two weeks, the LSU men’s basketball team found themselves facing a formidable challenge on Saturday.
Following their previous encounter on January 27th with Alabama, where the Crimson Tide surged with 59 second-half points and a total of 109 points, LSU was acutely aware of the threat posed by their opponent as they squared off once again.
In their prior matchup, Alabama swiftly extended a four-point lead early in the second half to an 11-point margin within just 2½ minutes of gameplay. This lead subsequently ballooned to 17 points, resulting in a final score of 109-88 in favor of Alabama.
Fast forward to their latest encounter, where LSU hosted the No. 16 Alabama team in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The game was marked by 17 lead changes, with an exciting first half seeing 15 of these changes and six ties within the initial 31 minutes of play.
However, the narrative quickly shifted.
After LSU’s Jalen Cook propelled the Tigers to a 73-72 lead with 9:32 remaining, Alabama, renowned for its potent offensive prowess, swiftly gained momentum. In a mere two-minute span, they amassed 13 points, overturning a one-point deficit into a commanding 10-point lead. From thereon, they maintained control, securing a comfortable 109-92 victory.
Alabama’s head coach Nate Oats attributed their explosive offensive display to their offensive depth and versatility. The Crimson Tide’s high-octane offense, coupled with effective perimeter shooting, offensive rebounding dominance, and strategic defensive stops, swiftly dismantled LSU’s aspirations of an upset victory.
Notably, Alabama’s offensive onslaught saw them attempt a remarkable 81 field goals, including 44 three-pointers, compared to LSU’s 60 attempts. This offensive efficiency propelled Alabama to the top spot nationally in scoring overnight, averaging 90.3 points per game.
Reflecting on the game, LSU’s coach Matt McMahon acknowledged the challenges posed by Alabama’s relentless offensive pressure and emphasized the importance of defensive improvement to compete at such levels.
Despite LSU’s commendable offensive output in both encounters with Alabama, averaging 90 points across the two losses, McMahon underscored the need to address defensive lapses and shot selection errors that fueled Alabama’s scoring spree.
Ultimately, the double defeat against Alabama underscored the formidable offensive prowess of the Crimson Tide, serving as a valuable learning experience for LSU as they strive for defensive improvement and greater consistency in their performances.
