In a season full of firsts for LSU coach Johnny Jones, tonight’s game presents a chance to do what even his predecessor couldn’t – beat Vanderbilt.
The Tigers (12-7, 3-5 Southeastern Conference), who haven’t beaten the Commodores (8-12, 2-6 SEC) since the likes of Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas graced the hardwood, look to continue their ascent up the SEC standings as they square off against Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. in the PMAC.
After stumbling to open the conference slate and now seeking its first three-game win streak since early December, LSU hasn’t wavered in its focus throughout the tribulations, according to Jones.
“When we’ve had setbacks, I looked at the attitude of our guys and they couldn’t wait until the next opportunity to be back out there on the floor,” Jones said. “I think that’s a sign of confidence, not being too down.”
Spearheaded by the sophomore duo of guard Anthony Hickey and forward Johnny O’Bryant III, the Tigers seem to have rectified the late-game problems that plagued them to begin SEC play.In the last week, LSU has executed down the stretch to eke out wins against No. 21 Missouri and Mississippi State last week.
O’Bryant, who extended his streak of double-doubles to five straight against the Bulldogs, shot down the notion of a third straight win bringing a different mindset for the Tigers, and said the team is sticking to its usual mantra.
“We just take it one game at a time like we’ve been saying all year,” O’Bryant said. “No matter who’s in front of us, we’re going to approach it the same.”
Hickey, who was nagged by off-the-court issues during non-conference play, is seemingly back in Jones’ good graces after asserting himself as the unquestioned leader of the team while leading the way with 12.4 points per game.
The 5-foot-11 sophomore credited many a night spent in prayer and a little extra attention from Jones as the impetus to his new outlook.
“[Jones] wanted me to just grow up,” Hickey said. “He wanted me to man up for once … I said, ‘You know, you’re right.’”
The next step in Hickey’s maturation comes in the form of an enigmatic Vanderbilt team that has struggled to score at times, only reaching 33 points in losses to Marist and Arkansas.
Led by sophomore guard Kedren Johnson’s 14.9 points per game, the Commodores will try to continue their dominance against LSU and avoid their first regular season loss to the Tigers since 2005-06 – a season in which LSU reached the Final Four.
Jones was wary of the traditionally guard-oriented Commodores, emphasizing perimeter defense as a key to the contest.
“I think you have to really try to get to the 3-point line and guard them because they will step out there and shoot a number of threes,” Jones said. “We have to really be balanced defensively and try to make it tough for them.”
LSU junior guard Andre Stringer (10) prepares to move around Missouri freshman guard Negus Webster-Chan (14) during the Tigers' 73-70 victory against Mizzou Wednesday Jan. 30, 2013 in the PMAC.
