LSU men’s basketball’s season opener helped confirm what was learned from its exhibition against UCF 10 days ago.
Transfers have taken over the Tigers’ lineup, and they stuck out in Wednesday’s 96-60 win against Tarleton State. The entire starting lineup had experience at other schools prior to this season.
The opening victory for LSU set the tone for what may become the best year in the era under head coach Matt McMahon. The offense was on fire, shooting 70.2% from the field, which is the third-best for LSU ever.
The three leading scorers were all transfers, who each stuck out on the court against the Texans.
Dedan Thomas Jr.
The UNLV transfer, playing on a new team with an almost entirely new roster, wasn’t fazed in the opening game.
“These dudes make it so easy on me,” Thomas said after the game. “It’s like a breath of fresh air playing with them.”
He made his presence known throughout the game. In his first appearance in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Thomas was a ball of energy, beaming around the entire court.
“Fun to watch,” McMahon said. “He’s a willing passer, but you also saw his quickness off the dribble and ability to get to the rim and score.”
Thomas shot 6-7 from the field and made all four free throws. The junior spent 25 and a half minutes on the court and did more than just score.
His eight assists accounted for just over one-third of the team’s 21 total. His ability to maneuver through the Texan defense enabled him to find teammates past stunned defenders. Tarleton State could not slow him down at any point in the game.
In the first half, Thomas did have two turnovers off misread passes, but bounced back for a turnover-less final 21 minutes.
When on the opposite side of the court, Thomas was also able to make a large impact. The 6-foot-1-inch point guard had five defensive rebounds, which included four in the first half. His quickness helped him beat screens and double-team the ball handler efficiently without leaving someone open.
Max Mackinnon
Two years at Elon and one at Portland brought the Australian to Baton Rouge for his final year of college basketball. In his first official game wearing the signature purple and gold, he led the team in points and minutes.
Like Thomas, Mackinnon went 6-7 from the field, but he stood out beyond the arc. He got LSU out to an early lead, from which it never looked back. Out of its first 16 points, six came from his two first-half three-pointers, and three more came from free throws.
Mackinnon said after the game that he has been working on his shooting with Keith Hornsby, a former LSU player during the 2010s.
Despite standing out tonight for his shot-making ability, Mackinnon made it clear that he is not just a one-trick pony.
“I think I’m more than just a shooter,” Mackinnon said. “I’m not the fastest guy, but I feel like I’ve got a good IQ … I feel like I can do what I want.”
His three rebounds and five assists added to his strong performance. This included a sweet pass to Marquel Sutton under the basket in the final minute of the first half.
On defense, Mackinnon helped create stops and turnovers throughout the contest. His 6-foot-6-inch frame makes him noticeable as a good defensive guard.
Mackinnon had the most time on court out of anyone on the team, staying on for nearly 27 minutes.
Michael Nwoko
The 6-foot-10-inch junior is proving to be a force that the Tigers have been searching for years.
Despite only playing 18 minutes, Nwoko put up 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Nwoko was sat for much of the first half due to early foul trouble.
McMahon said after the game that he thought Nwoko didn’t play particularly well. Though it seems counterintuitive, it proves how valuable Nwoko will be for the Tigers this year.
His 11 points tied his third-highest scoring game in his career. His eight rebounds were way above his per-game average of 3.4 from the previous two years. His three blocks were the most he has ever had in a Division 1 game.
Nwoko’s only year being a consistent starter came last winter at Mississippi State. With more playing time and experience, he has the chance to truly make a name for himself while at LSU.
“I think he’s a guy who will keep getting better every single night,” McMahon said. “Really excited about him. He’s going to be a really good player for us.”
