At times, LSU junior guard Keith Hornsby never thought last season would end. 
Hornsby knew sitting out for a full year after transferring from UNC-Asheville would test his patience, but it didn’t lessen the misery as he watched games from the sidelines during his year of ineligibility. 
That seems like a distant memory now. 
On a team without much depth, Hornsby has given more of himself than everyone else, logging a team-high 1,022 minutes this season. While it doesn’t completely erase the memory of sitting out last year, it’s not a bad start. 
“That’s one thing I can’t complain about — I’m getting as much court time as anybody,” Hornsby said. “I love it.”  
Last season, the only games Hornsby played were against his teammates in practice. This season, no one has played more than Hornsby, who’s gone from the Tigers’ most unknown player to one of the key pieces in their NCAA Tournament chase. 
At least that’s the way LSU coach Johnny Jones views his workhorse of a guard. 
“I can tell you if it wasn’t for Keith, we wouldn’t have the success that we are having right now,” Jones said. 
With two games left in the regular season, LSU is on the brink of capturing its first NCAA Tournament bid since the 2008-09 campaign, and perhaps no one has helped the Tigers’ cause on the court more than the Virginia native. 
Hornsby tops the Southeastern Conference in total minutes played this season, nudging Tennessee senior guard Josh Richardson by 10 minutes for the league lead. Hornsby has played at least 30 minutes in 26 of the Tigers’ 29 games this season, including the last 16. In 16 SEC games, Hornsby has eclipsed the 35-minute mark 12 times. 
But he feels like he could play even more. 
“My body’s actually been fine after the games,” Hornsby said. “I’m exhausted, but my shape’s at the point where I feel like I could play another 10 minutes. Stamina-wise, I feel like I could play a whole game.” 
Hornsby hasn’t disappointed in his extended time. The 6-foot-4 guard is 15th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 12.8 points in 35.2 minutes per game. He’s also been the Tigers’ most reliable 3-point threat, burying a team-high 61 treys on 38.4 percent shooting from deep. 
In LSU’s win against Ole Miss on Feb. 28, Hornsby scored 16 points — his 12th straight game reaching double digits — and went 4-for-7 from downtown.  
But Hornsby’s scoring abilities and 3-point prowess aren’t what his coach has been pleased with most. 
“He probably doesn’t get enough credit for what he’s done defensively,” Jones said. “Not that he’s been able to shut everyone down. But the passion that he plays with and how hard he plays night in and night out — you are going to get everything from him.”
Aside from Hornsby’s all-out effort, he’s also provided multiple skill sets to the Tigers’ arsenal. Whether he’s been asked to dribble on the break, beat the zone with his shot or defend the opponent’s best player — Hornsby has done it all. 
The only thing he doesn’t do on the court is give away the ball. 
In more than 1,000 minutes of court time, Hornsby has turned the ball over 43 times, or once every 23.7 minutes. Hornsby’s stingy ball-handling this season is much improved from his last stint at UNC-Asheville in 2012-13, when he turned over the ball 67 times in 1,007 minutes. 
He said he doesn’t think his former Bulldog teammates would recognize him now. 
“Somebody who saw me my [sophomore] year wouldn’t believe I’ve become this player now,” Hornsby said. “I used to be pretty wild. Not saying I have that completely out of my system now. I can still make wild plays, but it’s coming more natural to me more than it ever has.”  
With the individual and team success he’s enjoyed, Hornsby said this season has gone better than he expected it would, making this one of the best years of his life. 
He’s  made many lifelong memories during his first active season in purple and gold: the Tigers’ upset win at No. 16 West Virginia that alerted the nation of their talent; Hornsby’s career-high 24 points at UAB that proved he could be the No. 1 option; the loss to No. 1 Kentucky that showed Hornsby and the Tigers could play with anyone.
All are memories he won’t soon forget. 
“It’s been one of the biggest years of my life with some of the highlights of my life for sure,” Hornsby said. “Just being here and meeting all the people and all the fans that I’ve met, there are moments this year that I’ll never
forget.” 
Sometimes, Hornsby has to remind himself basketball is only a game and what he’s doing on the court isn’t a matter of life and death even though that’s the mentality he plays with. 
But Hornsby said he has too much respect for the game to play it any other way. 
“Basketball is my love,” Hornsby said. “It’s my life and my pain. It means so much to me. It can bring me up but also shoot me down. I’m my toughest critic for sure, and I have people around to remind me of that, which is
good.”
Despite Hornsby’s consistent play this, he’s gone under the radar a bit this season, mostly because of his equally-talented teammates. 
The dominance of sophomore forwards Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey has grabbed most of the headlines. Sophomore guard Tim Quarterman has emerged and recently recorded the program’s first triple-double in nearly 13 years. Freshman guard Jalyn Patterson’s maturity and high basketball IQ have been among the Tigers’ biggest surprises. 
But Quarterman said he believes Hornsby warrants his own recognition. 
“When this year came around, he saw his opportunity and took advantage of it,” Quarterman said. “He’s playing really well for us, and all the players love him. I know a lot of people talk about his dad, but Keith Hornsby is a great person.” 
You can reach David Gray on Twitter @dgray_TDR.