With 10 games remaining in the Southeastern Conference season, the LSU basketball team finds itself in a rather precarious position.
After starting 11-1, including a victory over No. 1 Arizona, the Tigers have faltered, sputtering out to an 1-5 SEC record.
This losing trend places LSU in serious danger of being out of contention for the NCAA Tournament.
However, all hope is not lost.
In order for the Tigers to have a chance to get an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, they must finish the SEC season at least breaking even with an 8-8 record, and there are several reasons for this.
First, the SEC is easily the top conference from top to bottom in the country. With the likes of No. 4 Florida, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 15 Georgia, No. 21 Mississippi State and No. 23 Alabama, there is no such thing as a night off in the SEC. Add those teams to solid clubs, such as Ole Miss and Auburn, who currently top the SEC West, and the statement “tough conference schedule” becomes an understatement.
Next, because of the Tigers cupcake-laden non-conference schedule, LSU needs an 8-8 record to advance to March Madness.
Now comes the problem of where LSU can pick up seven wins in its next 10 games.
Unfortunately, the Tigers must pick up two conference wins on the road after losing two games at home to Ole Miss and Florida. Winning on the road has been an absolute struggle for the Tigers, starting 0-3 on the road this season.
LSU can get the ball rolling this weekend when it plays Alabama on the road in a game that could be called a must win. Alabama is struggling also, after being ranked the top team in the country at one point, and carries a 2-4 mark in conference play.
After ‘Bama, LSU plays three consecutive very winnable games, when it hosts South Carolina and Vanderbilt and travels to Auburn in between. Then comes an away game at Kentucky, which since 1989 has counted as an “L” in the LSU record, but crazier things have happened in Lexington, Ky. Anybody remember the “Bluegrass Miracle?”
Arkansas then comes for a return visit to the PMAC after embarrassing the Tigers in Fayetteville, Ark., and LSU should be foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to redeem itself.
Following that comes three reasonable games at Tennessee and Ole Miss and a home game against Alabama.
Even though the idea of the Tigers finishing 7-3 in the last 10 games seems a little far-fetched, it is well within reach if they actually start hitting some shots.
Until they do that, the NCAA tournament should be the last thing on their minds.