When LSU coach Johnny Jones, Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson returned from Southeastern Conference Media Day on Oct. 19, they knew the Tigers had something to prove.
LSU was ranked No. 12 out of the 14 teams in the SEC’s media preseason basketball rankings.
“We had an opportunity to get back and reflect on media day being picked 12th, and it’s kind of unfamiliar territory for us,” Jones said. “Those who had the privilege of a vote — we’re hoping that we’ll be able to prove them wrong.”
The Tigers finished fourth last season behind Texas A&M, Kentucky and South Carolina. LSU finished the regular season 18-13, 11-7 in the SEC, and was eliminated from the SEC Tournament after enduring a 71-38 thumping from Texas A&M.
The low ranking comes after the departures of Ben Simmons, Tim Quarterman and Keith Hornsby, three of LSU’s leading scorers from last season.
So who does LSU expect to step up now?
Blakeney.
“I think it’s challenging, but a challenge I’m willing to take,” said Blakeney, who was named to the preseason Second Team All-SEC at SEC Media Day. “It’s fun. All the young guys looking up to me and talking to me. A lot is expected, but I just have to go out and lead by example.”
Junior guard Jalyn Patterson said while he thinks the ranking will motivate the team, he doesn’t let it affect him.
“It is kind of disrespect that they picked us 12th,” he said. “But we’ll just have to use that as motivation and play.”
Players noticed a change of tempo in LSU’s practices following the release of the preseason poll.
“Being picked 12th is not something we expected,” Sampson said. “It is what it is. We have to play through it, and I think we’ll prove ourselves. Practice was really intense.
LSU begins its season on Nov. 7 with an exhibition match against Reinhardt University at the PMAC at 7 p.m. The Tigers begin the regular season at home on Nov. 12 against Wofford College.
“The only way you clean that up is not by talking about it, but by being about it in playing, and we have to make sure we do those things,” Jones said.