LSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt McMahon, who recently was announced to be returning next season and will be receiving additional funding for the program’s NIL program, addressed the media after capturing a second consecutive conference victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks by a final score of 81-67.
By remaining poised on both ends of the court, McMahon acknowledges that his players’ efforts were essential to turning the tables on a rather disappointing season.
“I thought our guys’ preparation was really good [and] I loved their ability to execute the defensive plan of attack in the first half, forcing 18 turnovers was a big key of the game,” Head Coach Matt McMahon said. “Playing unselfish, spacing the floor… is obviously a step in the right direction for us.”
With experiencing trouble with shooting from behind the arc, finishing with a 43.3% from 3PT serves as a representation of what damage this roster can do when firing on all cylinders.
Four Tigers scored double digits, including senior guard Cam Carter who scored a team-high 17 points. This allowed the Tigers to capture a substantial lead over the Gamecocks and never look back.
Coming off a rough seven-game losing streak against conference opponents, McMahon believes that this team’s performance is a testament to its sheer determination and fight.
“I think it’s really challenging, we lost seven in a row there… it really tests you not just as a basketball player, but as a man,” McMahon said. “The credit goes to our players, and we needed something to go our way…. [we’re] staying the course and getting better.”
Implementing an interesting change to the starting lineup, McMahon has explored using a four-guard lineup and embraced the positive benefits of playing small ball.
The Tigers successfully used this offensive strategy to their advantage, ranging from more preferred floor spacing to substantial increases in shooting percentages. However, with an upcoming matchup against one of the most talented rosters in the country, McMahon acknowledges the areas of concern that need to be properly addressed.
“I think the four-guard lineup, when you look at one of the top rebounding teams in America, when you start talking about Florida, their physicality is incredible and they put you in tough sports with their firepower and the guard position,” McMahon said. “That will be challenged at the highest level.”
LSU Men’s Basketball will play the No.2-ranked Florida Gators on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m. CST at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers are looking to capture a miraculous upset win.
