The 2024-25 season is officially underway for LSU basketball, and the Tigers started off on the right foot by claiming a 95-50 victory against Louisiana-Monroe.
The Tigers struggled shooting the ball from deep, shooting 29.4% from three. Now that junior guard Tyrell Ward will most likely miss the remainder of the season as it was announced that he was stepping away from the program to focus on his mental health, three-point shooting could be a problem in the future.
However, the Tigers turned to junior forward Jalen Reed for a big game. Reed led the team in scoring and finished the game with 24 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Reed mostly dominated in the paint and even had a big-time poster in the first half.
It wasn’t just Reed who impacted the game on the offensive end; Kansas State transfer Cam Carter also had a sizable contribution, scoring 21 point. Carter’s game has improved immensely on the offensive side of the ball and was something coach Matt McMahon wanted to see.
“What I’ve challenged him from the day we started recruiting them is to be a more efficient offensive player,” McMahon said. “Shoot a higher percentage from the floor by getting higher quality shots and lower his turnover rate from a year ago.”
Going 4 for 8 from the 3-point line, he’s definitely off to a nice start, but he did have four turnovers as well.
Other guards such as Curtis Givens and Dji Bailey also scored double digits with 15 and 12, respectively.
While LSU did struggle to score the ball to start the game, its defense translated into offense. ULM shot a staggering 29% in the first half and finished the game shooting 38.7%.
The defensive pressure began right from the jump, including LSU full-court pressing the Warhawks right out of the gate.
“Well, I think it’s got to be the foundation of what we’re trying to do on that end of the floor,” McMahon said. “I thought our guys executed really well on the defensive side of the ball.”
As McMahon promised, the offense was quick on its heels, especially on fast breaks. The Bayou Bengals forced 14 turnovers, leading to 23 points.
Every fast break felt like it ignited the purple and gold’s passing, with teammates involved on nearly every trip. If LSU can continue to bring that ball movement to their standard offense, the team could put the SEC on notice.
Derek Fountain checked into the game late in the first half and immediately made an impact. The LSU forward grabbed two offensive rebounds on his first possession in Louisiana-Monroe’s end.
While it didn’t lead to points, the next possession did. Fountain was fouled on a tough layup for his first points of the season. He later had an eye-grabbing, smooth reverse layup in the second half. He finished the night with six points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes of action.
Fountain has a great mix of size and athleticism, making him the perfect center archetype in the Tigers’ ever-moving system; he’s a hustle-made player.
“I thought he looked like a fifth-year senior tonight,” McMahon said.
Expect full-effort minutes from Fountain throughout the season.
McMahon has made an emphasis on the importance of packing the PMAC throughout the offseason. He was found celebrating near the LSU student section following the win, and ended his press conference accordingly.
“I thought the student turnout was awesome,” McMahon said.
Overall, it was a promising opening night for the Bayou Bengals.