The LSU men’s basketball team will once again be without its leading scorer and rebounder when the Tigers (15-13, 4-10) take on Auburn University (16-13, 6-8) at 7 p.m. in Auburn, Ala. Junior forward Glen Davis did not travel with the team and will not play in tonight’s un-televised game. Davis sat out in the Feb. 20 loss to University of Kentucky and Saturday’s win over the University of Florida while recovering from a quadriceps muscle injury first suffered during the Tigers’ Feb. 10 victory over the University of Arkansas. He rejoined practice Monday after sitting out since the Feb. 17 loss to Mississippi State University. LSU coach John Brady first said after Monday’s practice that he expected Davis to play in tonight’s game. But Davis addressed the media a few minutes later and said he would not attempt to play – despite feeling about “89 to 90 percent” ready – until Saturday’s home game against the University of South Carolina. “I don’t feel like I’m ready,” Davis said after Monday’s practice. “I’m going to get my timing down and see if I can come back against South Carolina.” Brady confirmed after Tuesday’s practice that Davis would not travel or play against Auburn. “We’re all on the same page,” Brady said after Tuesday’s practice. “[His status] is more day by day I believe. Certainly we’d like to have him Saturday, but that’s something we’ll discuss after Thursday and Friday’s practice and see what kind of condition he’s in. We’ll make a determination closer to game time on Saturday.” The outcome of LSU’s last two regular season games will likely not influence NCAA tournament chances as the Tigers are last in the Southeastern Conference West and need to win the SEC tournament to receive an automatic NCAA bid. Davis said the team is playing “great” and suggested some players may have increased confidence in his absence. “There was a tendency to sometimes watch me, and they didn’t know what to do,” Davis said. “Now everybody’s moving, and they know what to do. Now they have to make the shots. Who else is going to make the shots? They have to step up.” Davis said there was sometimes a tendency for teammates to rely on his presence in the paint. “There was more of a [mentality to] ‘Give the ball to Glen,'” Davis said. “That’s why they didn’t know what to do. Now everybody knows what to do because anybody can get the ball any second. Everybody’s been shooting really well.” But Davis dismissed rumors that he used to demand the ball or that the team’s recent improved performance is because of his absence. “That is not the problem,” Davis said. “I never said that. In situations where I’ve felt like I can take somebody, I’ve said I want the ball. Every competitor does that. Don’t believe the rumors; I’m not that type of player.” Sophomore forward Magnum Rolle has earned increased minutes in Davis’ absence and describes his confidence as “sky-high.” Rolle played a career-high 31 minutes against Florida. “I’m filling in the gap when Coach [Brady] needed me,” he said. “When [Davis] comes back, it shouldn’t be much of a change. I will just slide back to my other role as coming back off the bench.” Rolle said after experiencing a back injury earlier in the season he can empathize with Davis’ situation. “It’s frustrating because he wants to get out here.” Rolle said. “You can only do what your body allows you to do.”
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