After failing to make the NCAA Tournament, the LSU men’s basketball team heads to the University of San Francisco on Wednesday for the opening round of National Invitational Tournament play.
As a group, the Tigers said they were disappointed not to make the big dance, but the NIT still allows the opportunity to leave the season on a high note.
“When you talk about the history of the NIT, it used to be the big tournament and the one everyone wanted to get into,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones said. “Teams that you see cut those nets down at the NIT are very emotional at that time because they’ve won the last game of the season and that’s big.”
LSU hasn’t had much time to scout the Dons after spending the last week preparing for the SEC Tournament, but Jones compared them to Georgia.
“With their guard play and ability to shoot and execute offensively and maybe how some of their post guys play, [Georgia] might be one of the closer matches in our league,” Jones said.
Georgia beat the Tigers both times the two programs’ squared off this season, including the season finale.
No decision about Mickey’s future
LSU freshman forward Jarell Martin announced Monday his intention to remain with the Tigers for at least another season, but fellow freshman Mickey Jordan isn’t making a decision just yet.
One of the top freshmen talents in the Southeastern Conference, Mickey said he’s waiting until after LSU’s run in the NIT Tournament is through before announcing his future plans.
“That’s something I try not to think about,” Mickey said. “I’m just trying to focus on the games right now. That’s something me and my family will discuss at the end of the season. I try to keep it out of my mind for now.”
Mickey said he doesn’t think LSU’s performance in the NIT will affect his decision, but he added that everything will factor into the process after the season.
In his inaugural season in Baton Rouge, Mickey is only the second player in program history to record 100 blocks in a season. Shaquille O’Neal is the only other LSU player to surpass the century mark.
Mickey was also named to the All-SEC 2nd team and All-SEC defensive team lists by league coaches last week, prior to the SEC Tournament.
Subhead: Stringer injury update
Heading into Wednesday’s NIT opening round matchup with San Francisco, Jones alluded Sunday night to an injury for senior guard Andre Stringer.
On Monday, Stringer came out for interviews with no brace or ice on his legs and appeared in good health but said he was a little banged up after Saturday’s loss against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament.
“I’ll be fine,” Stringer said. “Whatever I do have going on, I will play through it. Everything is laid out on a line for me and there’s no holding back.”
The NIT is set to be Stringer’s final outing in a Tigers uniform as the only current basketball player to be in his fourth season in the program. LSU senior forward Shavon Coleman is the only other senior on the Tigers’ roster, but 2014 is only his second season after transferring from Howard College.
Stringer is just three 3-pointers shy from moving into second place in program history with 238 made in his career. He also sits at No. 10 in career assists with 313 — just one shy of No. 9 Ricky Blanton — and No. 23 with 1,341 career points.