The two last place teams in the Southeastern Conference face off tonight at 7 p.m. in the PMAC. The LSU basketball team is hosting South Carolina (7-10 overall, 1-6 SEC).
It is a game many observers say is a must win for either team to have a chance at turning their season around. Even though LSU owns a 1-6 record in SEC play, the team has not shown signs of giving up, but they do say the time for them to turn things around is soon.
“We realize that we are at a point where we need some wins and need something positive to happen,” said senior guard Collis Temple, III. “But we aren’t down on ourselves.”
The Tigers currently are on a five-game losing streak. Last season, they faced a similar situation when they went on a six-game slide putting their record at 2-8 in the SEC.
They finished 6-10 and received a bid to the National Invitational Tournament.
“We have a losing slump, but we’ve been through it before,” said senior guard Torris Bright. “We need to keep our focus and play through it. It’s right around that time for us to turn things around. I’d be surprised if we didn’t. I still think we’ll turn this thing around.”
LSU head coach John Brady agreed the team was keeping a positive attitude, but he does not see the game as one of desperation for either team.
“I don’t think its desperation,” Brady said. “It’s just something we both need to do. We did it a year ago, and hopefully we can pull it out like we want.”
Brady believes if the team concentrates on playing good defense and rebounding the ball, they will put themselves in good position to win the game. Bright agreed.
“We have to rebound the ball and play good defense to have a chance to beat South Carolina,” Bright said.
Besides having the Tigers practice hard on defense and rebounding, Brady also may make a change in the lineup. Sophomore guard Xavier Whipple has been practicing with the first team since his performance at Alabama.
With Whipple in the lineup, Bright would be moved to the wing or the bench.
“We might try something a little different and see how it works,” Brady said. “I think Whipple is going to play more, and he may start.”
The Tigers’ lineup will be a gameday decision, Brady said.