It was a big weekend for LSU basketball as both programs bounced back with blowout wins.
The men’s team started the weekend strong with a 95-74 win over Arkansas, leading by as much as 28 during the game. LSU women’s basketball team picked up a dominant, 40-point win against Florida, restoring confidence in the fanbase after consecutive losses.
Both teams answered questions over the weekend, but there are questions that still remain as both teams enter the home stretch of SEC play. Our LSU basketball beat writers at The Reveille got together to discuss the weekend and what’s next for the two teams.
What was the biggest improvement we saw in the women’s team against Florida?
Tyler Harden- LSU was much more efficient on the defensive side of the ball, but the way it implemented its guards I feel is important in the long run. It started with Hailey Van Lith, where she scored 21 points, the most during her time at LSU. It was important for her to be a facilitator, but she’s too much of a talent for that role to, at times, eliminate her production from the game.
This is where Last-Tear Poa comes in. She played a true point guard role that the team could afford. While Van Lith had to transition her game into a facilitator, Poa’s game is one of a facilitator. Implementing Poa more into the offense could give Van Lith the freedom to play the way she’s used to play.
Tre Allen – The defensive end was the biggest part. They have been struggling immensely these past couple of games and this week they held Florida to 66 points and forced 20 turnovers. The problem was letting teams go on runs and the momentum swing to the opposing team, but they were much better this game.
Matt McMahon changed up the rotation replacing Jalen Cook in the starting lineup with Trae Hannibal. What does that change do for the team?
Jason Willis – It remains to be seen whether that change is permanent, but it brought more steadiness all around. Hannibal, for all his limitations, can always be relied on for the energy he brings, and reliability is what was needed with Cook playing erratically.
Like McMahon said, Cook coming off the bench allows him to observe the game from a different angle before he gets in, which led to a more focused performance. Maybe it was just a wake-up call and Cook gets back in the starting lineup next game, but hopefully it gets him back in a groove.
Tre Allen – I thought it was a good move. Cook has been having problems with turnovers but with him coming off the bench and leading the second unit, it allows more scoring chances for the team.
Trae Hannibal is a good defender and brings a lot of energy. You have scoring options in Jordan Wright, Will Baker and Mike Williams and if the offense gets stagnant you get that extra spark with Cook.
Last-Tear Poa played a big role in LSU women’s basketball’s win against Florida. How important is she down the stretch?
Tyler Harden- Like I said earlier, it’s very important that Poa could potentially get more minutes down the line. Not only is it important for players like Van Lith to score themselves more, but it’s also important depth wise.
LSU has obviously struggled with its depth this season, especially in SEC play. But being able to resort to Poa when times get tough will be key for LSU to have that option in its back pocket. The Tigers have been able to operate with its starting five, but they need more than one game plan.
Tre Allen – She’s very important, she brings a lot of defense and that veteran presence to a team that needs it. She does need to take care of the ball more as she does tend to turn the ball over but if she can continue to play make and play good defense her role will be massive.
When everyone is playing at their potential, who should be the No. 1 scoring option for LSU men’s basketball?
Jason Willis- The answer isn’t Baker, because he needs a setup man to be successful, though it’s clear the team looks much better when he’s got it going. That leaves it between Cook and Wright.
Wright has a great all-around skillset and provides important rim pressure, but I lean Cook because when he’s at his best, his playmaking and shooting are truly the best on the team.
When the offense flows through Cook, everyone eats, as he can find rolling bigs like Baker or dish to shooters like Williams and Tyrell Ward.
The problem is the offense has typically not looked that egalitarian with Cook on the floor, with shot-hunting taking over for deliberate plays. You have to live with that a little and let Cook be Cook, but there needs to be a balance for the LSU offense to be at its best.
Cook being the No. 1 option also allows Wright to sustain the energy he puts in on the defensive end, as being the top guy on both ends is draining. Wright is also infinitely more capable of affecting the game when he’s not scoring, whether it’s with defense, rebounding, hustle, passing or all of the above.
Tre Allen – It’s a tough decision because they both bring certain things to the table that the other one doesn’t. I go with Wright because he’s a bigger body and can be utilized more in certain situations.
Cook is a nice change of pace and I do agree with Jason that the offense flows better, and it can drain Wright on both ends, but I did like seeing Cook off the bench to bring in that extra scoring.
The women’s team plays another solid opponent on the road Thursday. How much should fans be concerned?
Tyler Harden- Vanderbilt has been a sleeper in the SEC thus far. Especially playing on the road, at a court that provides a lot of unique attributes that may affect LSU, it won’t be an easy game to begin with.
LSU has gone into an atmosphere just like its own at the PMAC every time it has played an SEC team on the road. It has been tough every time for the Tigers to pull out a win, and this time won’t be any different.
Tre Allen- I don’t think there is anything to be necessarily concerned about, but I do think fans need to be more aware. This isn’t last year when they only lost two games and they are going to dominate everyone who isn’t ranked top 10.
Everyone is competitive and especially with a team who were favored to win the national championship, they are going to give them everything they have each game.
What’s realistic to expect out of the men’s team against Tennessee on Wednesday?
Jason Willis – Realistically, if LSU is legitimately in the game for more than a half, that would be genuinely impressive for the Tigers. Tennessee rolled to wins over Alabama and Kentucky by jumping on them early, so if LSU faces an early deficit, that’s likely all she wrote.
Obviously, LSU would like to win, and although Tennessee isn’t indestructible, there isn’t really a blueprint on how to beat them. Dalton Knecht won’t slow down, so a team would need to limit the others around him. It would take a complete 40-minute effort on both ends, which LSU is capable of, but the Volunteers are likely too good.
Tre Allen – The most realistic outcome would be a 10-15 point loss. Like Jason said if they can keep it close for more than a half then that would be impressive, but Tennessee just has too much talent. They are coming off a big rivalry win against Kentucky on the road and now they are back home to take on the Tigers, that just isn’t a recipe that will end well.
