Looking to scale new heights, LSU travels to “Rocky Top” Tennessee in search of back-to-back road wins when the Tigers battle the Volunteers on Saturday at 6 p.m.
LSU (12-6, 5-2 SEC) earned its first road win of the season Wednesday at Georgia, 95-79. The Tigers are on a three-game winning streak and have won six of their last seven.
“Our team needed to get a road win, and we were able to do that last night at Georgia,” Coach John Brady said. “We guarded them better in the second half after they hit some shots over us in the first half. We’ve played well recently, but last night may have been the best offensive performance of the season.”
The Tigers hit 47.4 percent of their shots against UGA and added 16-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Senior guard Antonio Hudson led the Tigers with 26 points in the game, including four 3-pointers. Brandon Bass followed with 21 points and six rebounds, while Glen Davis posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
UT coach Buzz Peterson said LSU presents many challenges for the Volunteers, especially with its inside game.
“They’re just the opposite of Vanderbilt,” Peterson said. “They try to beat you inside with those big men, Brandon Bass and Glen Davis. Darrel Mitchell is a threat from outside. LSU likes to use that power game on the inside.”
Tennessee (10-11, 3-5 SEC) lost its fourth consecutive game at Vanderbilt, 67-62, on Wednesday. Guard Chris Lofton led the Volunteers in the losing effort with 16 points.
During that four-game stretch, the Volunteers lost at No. 4 Kentucky, 84-62, at No. 9 Louisville, 85-62 and at Auburn, 62-59. Saturday will mark UT’s first home game since Jan. 12 when the Volunteers defeated Mississippi State, 64-63.
The Volunteers start a three-game home stand against LSU, but Peterson said he thinks the Tigers may be one of the better teams in the SEC.
“I think we are playing one of the hottest teams in the league right now in LSU,” Peterson said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Brandon Bass is one of the better players in this league. They rebound well and are the top team from the free-throw line in the SEC. We are just glad we’ve got some home games and are looking forward to them starting with this one.
UT ranks fourth in the SEC, hitting 38.5 percent of its shots from 3-point range. Senior guard Scooter McFadgon leads the Volunteers, averaging 14.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds.
The Volunteers lead the overall series over LSU 54-40 and hold a 27-14 advantage in Knoxville, but LSU defeated UT by double digits the past two seasons.
The last time LSU visited Knoxville, the Tigers set a school record with 17 3-pointers on their way to an 88-67 victory in 2002.
Brady said the Tigers must continue to play well on both ends of the court in order to defeat the Volunteers on Saturday.
“We just have to try to carry [our success] over to Tennessee,” Brady said. “They have three home games in a row and are all very big for them, so we will have to be at our best.”
The SEC-TV network will televise the game, which can be seen on Cable Channel 38 in Baton Rouge.