When asked about senior guard Darrel Mitchell’s performance, freshman forward Tasmin Mitchell responded “He was smokin’ tonight.”
“Smokin'” is about the only adjective that fit Darrel Mitchell’s performance after he shot 5 of 7 from behind the arc and 9 of 13 overall.
All five three-pointers, all eight assists, and 17 of his 24 points came in the first half.
“Tonight was the best half of I’ve ever played,” Darrel Mitchell said. “The energy from the crowd was amazing and every time the ball left my hands, I knew it was going in.”
Mitchell capped his first half performance in the last 1:20 with an alley oop to freshman Tyrus Thomas, a three pointer, and a break away lay-up as time expired.
His 24 points in just 29 minutes of play is just two short of his season-high of 26 against West Virginia in November. He played 45 minutes in the 71-68 overtime victory against West Virginia.
Darrel Mitchell’s five three-pointers tied his season high, also coming against the Mountaineers.
“When Darrel is shooting from the outside like that, it forces the defense to play out on him,” Tasmin Mitchell said. “It made it a lot easier for Glen [Davis] and Tyrus [Thomas] down low.”
Davis and Thomas had 13 points each.
Mitchell shot a season best 71 percent from beyond the arc and 69 percent from the field. He has made a total of 220 three-pointers in his career, 17 shy of all-time leader Taurus Bright.
His eight assists were one short of his season high and he also contributed six rebounds and three steals.
Wednesday was his fourth game with at least 20 points this season.
“We call him the silent assassin,” LSU coach John Brady said. “He is so good in transition. He can stop on a dime and take the three, or drive it all the way to the basket.”
Brady said they have four or five set plays that are intended just for Mitchell.
“Darrel really takes pride in being the only senior on this team and taking over that point guard role,” Brady said. “He is a great kid that is going to graduate on time with at least a 3.0 GPA.”
Mitchell said the reason for his performance might have been the throwback jerseys for retro night.
“Those jerseys were feeling pretty good,” Mitchell joked. “But the guys were really hyped up. We play really hard in practice, and it feels really good to lead these guys out there tonight.”
 
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