LSU and South Carolina find themselves in the same boat.
Both teams finished the Southeastern Conference regular season with an 8-8 record.
Both teams are missing their major inside presences in Jaime Lloreda for LSU and Rolando Howell for South Carolina because of season-ending injuries.
And even though both teams are considered to be locks for the NCAA Tournament by numerous national media outlets, a run in the SEC Tournament would solidify their positions and possibly improve their seedings.
That is what makes today’s 2:15 p.m. matchup at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta between the Tigers and the Gamecocks at the SEC Tournament so important.
South Carolina got off on the right foot Thursday with a victory over Arkansas, while LSU received a first round bye because it finished second in the SEC West.
In LSU and South Carolina’s only meeting of the season in Columbus, S.C., the Tigers looked like they were on their way to a road victory against the then-ranked Gamecocks.
But a questionable charging call on LSU guard Darrel Mitchell followed by a subsequent John Brady technical foul cost the Tigers the game as South Carolina won, 61-55.
Mitchell, who averages 11.8 points per game and is shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range on the season, says the SEC Tournament gives the Tigers one last chance to make a statement before the NCAA tournament field of 64 teams is selected.
“We’re trying to get to the finals,” Mitchell said. “We’re taking it step-by-step and trying to get wins. Since we have a bye that’s one game out of the way.”
Guard Antonio Hudson said it is important for LSU to do positive things in Atlanta because going into NCAA play on a sour note is a bad thing for a team.
“I feel like anytime you go to a tournament, you don’t want to go and lose,” Hudson said. “You don’t want to lose and go directly into the postseason. It benefits your team if you go in and win a couple so you can get in a groove in the postseason. I feel like the tournament is a key to get us some momentum.”
Hudson said if a team is not ready to play in the SEC Tournament, it will be swept off the court in a matter of moments.
“I told the young guys you have to bring your ‘A’ game,” Hudson said. “I told them make sure they bring their ‘A’ game to Georgia. I’ve got to be the same way. The tournament is a big deal. You play all the teams you played in the regular season, but you’re playing for something. Everybody wants to be there and play on Sunday. Nobody wants to play one day and go home.”
Carlos Powell leads the Gamecocks with 12.6 points per game and hit USC’s lone 3-point basket against the Tigers with 1:38 remaining in the first game. As a team, the Gamecocks were 1-for-23 from behind the arch in that contest.
Josh Gonner is the only other Gamecock to average double figures as he contributes 11.6 points per game.
SEC freshman of the year Brandon Bass, a forward for the Tigers, leads LSU in Lloreda’s absence with 12.6 points per game. He also averages seven rebounds per game and has been laregly counted on since Lloreda’s injury.