History could be made in the PMAC on Tuesday night.
On a 13-game losing streak, LSU faces Auburn at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in hopes of halting the streak before it ties a program record 14 straight losses that was set in 1965-66 and 1966-67.
“They can really put up points,” coach Johnny Jones said about Auburn. “They have four freshmen that lead them in scoring. They play with a rhythm and a bit of an attitude that you certainly have to be ready, focused and attention detail to have an opportunity to compete with these guys for 40 minutes.”
LSU is coming off of a 90-72 road loss to Alabama on Saturday, and has only four more opportunities to pick up another win in the regular season, beginning with Auburn on Tuesday night. The Tigers then face Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi State.
Jones has tried to make sure the team remains motivated despite the overshadowing streak.
“It’s nothing that you want them to get used to or become immune to,” Jones said. “I think their focus has been right, and their attitude has been good in terms of getting back to preparing for the next opponent.”
Auburn enters Tuesday night’s game after falling 81-62 to Texas A&M on Saturday. LSU fell to Auburn 78-74 earlier in the season on Jan. 18th. LSU led Auburn by as much as 11 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Freshman guard Mustapha Heron leads Auburn in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game in 27 games.
Sophomore guard Antonio Blakeney continues to lead the Tigers in scoring, averaging 17.4 points in 26 games, and posting 28 points against Alabama on Saturday.
Blakeney noted that most of his recent points haven’t come on his own.
“It comes from my teammates in transition,” Blakeney said. “Skylar [Mays] finds me a lot in transition and gets me and Brandon a lot of easy points the last few games.”
Following Blakeney is junior forward Duop Reath, who is averaging 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.
With the losing streak progressing over 47 days, questions have arisen about Jones’ job security with the Tigers.
Jones dismissed the talk on Monday.
“I’m worried about the Auburn Tigers,” Jones said. “Tomorrow night. 6 o’clock. That’s our preparation, and that’s who we’re getting ready for.”