LSU Tigers (9-5, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) vs. Florida Gators (9-5, 1-1 SEC)

When/Where: 12:30 p.m. at Stephen C. O’Connell Center | Gainesville, Florida

Television: CBS (Spero Dedes, play by play, and Doug Gottlieb, analyst)

History: LSU leads the all-time series, 62-43. Johnny Jones is 2-3 versus Florida in his career. This is Florida coach Mike White’s first meeting with the Tigers.

Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network

Things to watch for:

Final Four Footsteps?: This season is the 10th anniversary of LSU’s last Final Four team. Though it may seem this year’s team has no resemblance to the 2005-2006 Tigers, the two had similar season’s through this point. Both teams lost five games before the start of conference play. And if this year’s Tigers can secure a win on Saturday, they’ll become the first LSU team to start SEC play with three straight wins since the Final Four team of 2006. 

On the road to an SEC title?: Following back-to-back wins against the teams picked to finish at the top of the conference, LSU is setting up for a run at the SEC’s regular season championship. But if the Tigers want to be serious contenders, they’ll need to show they can win away from home with consistency. Heading into Saturday’s game in Gainesville, LSU has only won once in five games outside the PMAC. Another victory on the road could go a long way for the young Tigers confidence on the road.

New players, new toughness, new team: Many LSU fans hoped the additions of senior guard Keith Hornsby and sophomore forward Craig Victor would add much needed help for the Tigers. Hornsby was meant to bring shooting and leadership, while Victor would contribute rebounding. But both added more than just that. LSU is now playing with a new edge and toughness. Coach Johnny Jones noted Hornsby’s tendency to dive on the floor for a loose ball and Victor’s enforcer role in the paint. The new tenacity has turned the then 4-4 Tigers to 5-1 in their last six games.

LSU’s last game: 85-67 win against No. 9 Kentucky, Jan. 5.

Florida’s last game: 83-69 loss against Tennessee, Jan. 5.

LSU’s possible starters (based on last game):

G Tim Quarterman (Jr.): 12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.7 apg

G Antonio Blakeney (Fr.): 9.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.2 apg

G Keith Hornsby (Sr.): 16.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg

F Ben Simmons (Fr.): 20.1 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 5.2 apg, 2.1 spg

F Craig Victor (So.): 13.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 2.1 spg

LSU’s top reserves:

G Josh Gray (Sr.): 7.8 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 rpg

G Brandon Sampson (Fr.): 6.6 ppg, 1.1 apg, 1.8 rpg

G Jalyn Patterson (So.): 5.2 ppg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 rpg

F Aaron Epps (So.): 6.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg

C Elbert Robinson (So.): 3.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg

Florida’s possible starters (based on last game):

F Justin Leon (Jr.): 3.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg

F Dorian Finney-Smith (R. Sr.): 13.1 ppg, 2.4 apg, 7.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 0.9 spg

C John Egbunu (R. So.): 10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg,

G KeVaughn Allen (Fr.): 10.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 spg

G Chris Chiozza (So.): 6.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 spg

Florida’s top reserves:

G Kasey Hill (Jr.): 8.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 spg
F Devin Robinson (So.): 11.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg