Coming off a disappointing loss to Texas A&M, where the LSU offense cratered in the final minutes and came up short on a potential game-tying possession, the Tigers were dying for an opportunity to right their wrongs.
Wednesday’s matchup with an ascendant Georgia team always had the makings of a close game, and LSU indeed got its opportunity. It made its statement with 16 seconds left in the game as senior guard Jalen Cook put the Tigers up by one with a strong and-one layup.
However, their improved execution ended there. Georgia center Russel Tchewa scored off an offensive rebound on the ensuing possession, drawing a foul in the process. Jordan Wright had a chance to make a miraculous shot after Tchewa’s free throw, but the ball rimmed out, giving Georgia a 68-66 win at Stegeman Coliseum.
LSU made clear improvements from the previous matchup, giving itself a chance to win, but then, just as quickly, committed a familiar error.
The Tigers have struggled throughout the year with defensive rebounding, which came to a head against A&M when the Aggies came up with 27 offensive rebounds.
The issue reared its head again at the end of Wednesday’s game, even though LSU came up with two more offensive rebounds than the Bulldogs in the match.
Cook’s would-be game-winning shot, breaking down a defender off the dribble then finishing against contact, was an encouraging change from the disappointingly stagnant offense on exhibit at the end of the Texas A&M game.
Even as McMahon expected a gradual approach to his team’s development, offensive improvements will lose poignance because of the end result. LSU faced a beatable opponent in Georgia and lost.
Last season, Georgia finished 6-12 in SEC play and was one of the few conference teams that LSU beat when they faced off in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Like LSU, Georgia was predicted to finish at the very bottom of the conference this season.
Instead, the Bulldogs have made great strides in head coach Mike White’s second season, and they came into Wednesday’s matchup mirroring LSU in many ways. Both were tough teams who fed off defense and underwhelmed offensively.
These teams were separated by razor-thin margins statistically, and both needed this win to prove they belong in the SEC’s upper class.
In the end, LSU couldn’t rise to the challenge, despite a good performance from Cook, who’s struggled recently. In his prior three games, Cook shot 30.3% from the field.
Against Georgia, Cook had 21 points and made eight of his 17 shots for a 47.1% shooting percentage. On a night when only one other Tiger was in double digits (Wright with 18), Cook’s offensive leadership was neccessary.
On the whole, LSU’s offense struggled, shooting just 38.6% on the game and coughing up 16 turnovers. The Tigers’ pace was incredibly slow, and they struggled throughout the game to produce in the paint.
When driving or passing the ball to the post, LSU was wholly unproductive in terms of creating openings. LSU didn’t create advantages or get separation from defenders, and Georgia’s players did a good job of sticking in front of the Tigers.
Even when LSU did get to the rim, it failed to finish, as LSU made only seven of its 22 layup attempts.
The offense also failed to convert on Georgia’s mistakes, producing just 18 points off the Bulldogs’ 18 turnovers.
LSU has orchestrated several second-half turnarounds this season, addressing nagging issues and making changes during the break. No such turnaround took place on Wednesday, with the LSU offense looking just as poor in the second half.
Of all respects, LSU’s offensive strength was in generating quality looks from three. On several plays, a well-designed play led to a wide-open look, and the Tigers did a good job converting when given the chance.
Overall, LSU shot 10 for 23 for a 43.5% clip from beyond the arc, significantly better than its season average of 33.8%.
On defense, LSU had a solid performance. The team was stifling early on, thanks to strong efforts, good help defense and successful in-front positioning against Georgia on drives. The Bulldogs only scored 10 points in the first 10 minutes.
It was also LSU’s defense that allowed it to overcome a nine-point deficit with 5:48 left in the game and give itself the opportunity to win.
There were a handful of breakdowns, and the team once again committed too many fouls. As a team, the Tigers were whistled for 19 fouls, and three different players had four fouls in the game.
Generally, though, LSU made the stops it needed down the stretch, with Georgia shooting only 33.3% in the second half.
LSU will next travel to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama and the nation’s No. 4 scoring offense on Saturday at 7 p.m.
