Sophomore guard Tim Quarterman has sparked an LSU men’s basketball team struggling to get production from its bench.
The Tigers have five players averaging more than 30 minutes a game, including sophomore forward Jordan Mickey, who is averaging almost a complete game at 36 minutes. LSU’s first four, excluding the changing carousel at center, all average minutes that rank in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference.
With Mickey leading the team in minutes, junior guard Keith Hornsby is second with 34.6 minutes per game. Sophomore forward Jarell Martin and junior guard Josh Gray close out the top four with 34.4 and 33.7 minutes per game, respectively.
“Coach [Johnny] Jones is the one who decides who to put in and how long, so it’s all about what they do and giving them confidence when they’re in there,” Hornsby said. “It’s hard knowing you have a short leash to go in there and really be productive.”
Bench production has been sparse due to the lack of minutes the Tigers’ outer rotation receives. The highest minute average for a consistent bench player, excluding Quarterman, is 11.4 minutes by freshman guard Jalyn Patterson. The lack of minutes has led to a drought in bench scoring, with LSU’s backups averaging only 7.2 points per game.
The Tigers’ struggle to find a permanent option at center has put the bench in a tough position because of Jones’ knack to go with a small lineup, leaning on his stars to produce most of the teams’ minutes.
Against McNeese State last Saturday, Jones kept Martin in for the entire game after Mickey sat out because of a precautionary measure after he tweaked his ankle during practice.
When Mickey is available, Jones elects to go small after the opening tip. He sends his starting center to the bench in favor of Quarterman to run the backcourt alongside Gray and Hornsby, shifting Mickey and Martin down low.
Jones tends to go with the smaller look for most of the game, with Quarterman averaging the fifth most minutes on the team with 31 minutes per game and playing 38 minutes against McNeese State.
Jones said he likes the look of two point guards on the floor because of the increased basketball intelligence on the court at any given time.
“It helps when you have two guards out there who are good decision makers, ball handlers and passers especially out there on the fast break,” Jones said. “Any one of those guys can get the ball up the floor. There are fewer turnovers when you’re playing the right way. When you have those two guys, I think we’re more effective on the floor.”
Quarterman is averaging 10.6 points per game to go along with 22 assists on the year, which is second behind Gray who leads the team with 32.
He got the starting nod against McNeese State because of Mickey’s injury, scoring 14 points in the victory. Quarterman said he’s trying to do anything he can to help the team succeed and be ready whenever his name is called.
Mickey said Quarterman’s moxie off the bench helps the team step up its performance on both ends of the floor when it’s lacking.
“He has been an extremely big boost. He’s like an energy guy coming off the bench,” Mickey said. “He comes out, and he doesn’t stop. He gets other guys on the defensive end, so just having somebody come in like that is big
for us.” 
While the lack of depth past Quarterman off the bench so far is a concern, the 6-foot-6-inch guard has been a much-needed boost off the bench for the Tigers through their first stretch of the preseason.
“He brings so much because of the versatility that he has on the floor, playing the one, two and the three positions for us,” Jones said. “I think he gives us a great deal of energy off of the bench which is really needed. He changes the complexion of the game when he comes in, and we certainly would have it that way than having a drop off if he wasn’t starting.” 
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.