LSU Tigers (13-7, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (17-2, 6-2 Big 12 Conference)
When/Where: 4:00 p.m. at Pete Maravich Assembly Center | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Television: ESPN.
Brent Musburger play-by-play. Dick Vitale analyst. Holly Rowe reporter.
Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network, LSUsports.net
Jim Hawthorne, play-by-play. Ricky Blanton, analyst. Kevin Ford, host.
Things to watch for: Ben Simmons and Buddy Hield. Two of the nation’s top players, future NBA lottery picks and Wooden Award candidates. But, the Sooners have a more-than-capable supporting cast behind Hield. Guard Isaiah Cousins and forward Ryan Spangler round out the senior starting lineup, and have combined for 23.8 points per game, on average, for the season.
Hield leads Oklahoma and is second in the nation averaging 25.9 points per game. Simmons is averaging 19.8 points per game and 12.8 rebounds — the third-highest number in the country.
LSU’s last game: 89-85 win against Georgia on Jan. 26.
Oklahoma’s last game: 91-67 win against Texas Tech on Jan. 26
LSU’s possible starters (based on last game):
G Tim Quarterman (Jr.): 11.6 point per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game
G Jalyn Patterson (So.): 5.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg
G Keith Hornsby (Sr.): 13.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg
F Ben Simmons (Fr.): 19.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 4.85 apg
F Craig Victor (So.): 12.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg
LSU’s top reserves:
G Josh Gray (Sr.)
G Antonio Blakeney (Fr.)
G Brandon Sampson (Fr.)
F Aaron Epps (So.)
C Elbert Robinson (So.)
Oklahoma’s possible starters (projected):
G Buddy Hield (Sr.)
G Isaiah Cousins (Sr.)
G Jordan Woodard (Jr.)
F Ryan Spangler (Sr.)
F Khadeem Lattin (So.)
FINAL: 77-75, Oklahoma.
– It was the best game the PMAC will likely host all season, but it was Buddy Hield’s second half. He knocked in 21 points in the final 20 minutes. The Tigers fought but couldn’t conquer the nation’s top team. Although, they did push it until the final 20 seconds of the game. Isaiah Cousins hit a free-throw jumper to put the Sooners up two as Tim Quarterman drove the full length of the floor as time expired. The tensions were high, especially from the Tigers’ student section who lobbed and pelted water and other beverages at Oklahoma players after the game. 
Live Updates: 7:56, 2nd. LSU 61, Oklahoma 57.
– After starting off smoking and jamming, LSU’s cooled off. As hard as it may be, if its light-out shooting doesn’t continue Oklahoma will take over. The Sooners are doing just that. Their on a 6-0 run as LSU’s made one of its last seven shots. Buddy Hield has taken full control of the Sooners offense and LSU’s in search for an answer to him. 
Live Updates: 14:58, 2nd. LSU 54, Oklahoma 41. 
 – Ben Simmons’ reverse jam has heisted all forms of social media, and Buddy Hield continues to answer for Oklahoma as its running out of offensive options against this never-before-seen, lights-out defensive and shooting LSU team. Benny versus Buddy is forthcoming. 
Halftime: 44-36, LSU leading.
– LSU maintained nearly full control of the opening period. Surely, Buddy Hield notched 11 points, but LSU did well containing the nation’s second-leading scorer. LSU pounded Oklahoma’s big men and pushed the temp in transition, while also defending well against Oklahoma’s fury of good shooters. Rebounding and strong team defense will be the keys for LSU to pull out a victory today. It’s done so thus far. 
 - Craig Victor and Tim Quarterman — with two fouls apiece — lead the Tigers will 10 and 12 points, respectively. LSU ended the first period shooting 7-of-12 from behind the 3-point line — its highest numbers for a half this season.
Live Updates: 38-28, LSU leading with 3:54, first half.
  – LSU has total control, it seems. The Tigers are 5-for-10 from behind the arc and the PMAC is loving every bit of it. LSU seems to be pushing Oklahoma to an offensive speed it’s not accustomed to. The Tigers are also staying out of foul trouble, and have hit 7-of-8 of their own free throws.
Live Updates: 26-21. LSU leading with 7:51 remaining in the first half.
 - From the tip, LSU’s energy on the floor has gotten the best of Oklahoma, so far. The Sooners are continually pounding LSU with dribble-drives to the rim, but LSU’s countering with smart, aggressive, yet patient offense of its own. 
Live Updates: 11-10, LSU leads, 15:00 remaining, first half.
 - With a packed PMAC and gold everywhere, LSU and Oklahoma both let the moment seize the first couple minutes here. Both teams started out faster than they’re comfortable playing. It’s slowed down a bit, and LSU was just man-handled on the defensive glass. Three Oklahoma offensive boards ended in an alley-oop to make it a one-point game.

Gallery • 1 Photos

Haskell Whittington

LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons (25) goes up for a score contested by the Georgia defense during the LSU 89-85 win against Georgia on Tuesday Jan. 26, 2016, in the PMAC.