It has become almost second nature for the LSU men’s basketball team.
The dual-threat sophomore forwards Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin have been trading double-doubles throughout the early part of the 2014-15 season.
While Tiger fans are used to the production the two All-Southeastern Conference forwards can bring with Mickey’s nine double-doubles a season ago, the two sophomores have been off to a hot start this season. Either Mickey or Martin has produced a double-double in each game this season.
Throughout their careers at the University, LSU coach Johnny Jones has had difficulty getting the two on the court and 100 percent healthy at the same time. Martin was hampered with a ankle injury for much of the 2013-14 season, keeping his stat line relatively low.
Martin is back to full health this season, but Mickey has dealt with his own injury issues so far. Mickey is nursing an ankle injury he suffered during practice last week that forced him to sit out of the McNeese State game last Saturday.
With Mickey out, Martin stepped up in his absence. Martin scored 26 points and added 10 rebounds to help the Tigers cruise past McNeese State, 83-72.
Martin said he knew going into the game he needed to elevate his play with Mickey out, knowing his fellow sophomore would do the same if it were him.
“If Jordan is out of the game, I definitely want to go out there and try to do as much as I can for my teammates,” Martin said. “I know that Jordan’s out and I just want to go out there and rebound the ball and try to be aggressive on the offensive end and defensive end. He does the same when I’m in foul trouble and sitting out of games too.”
In fact, Mickey did much of the same for Martin while nursing his knee injury last season. Mickey earned a Second Team All-SEC selection in 2014 in part due to his nine double-doubles.
LSU junior guard Keith Hornsby said the style of play he has seen from Mickey and Martin separately throughout the two years shows him how dominant the Tigers could be if they can get their play clicking together.
“It makes us realize how if they both play at this same level when they’re both in together how deadly it could be,” Hornsby said. “It just shows their ability and just how at any given moment they can take over in the game.”
With Mickey’s relatively minor ankle injury, things could begin to click for the two. Mickey said Martin has begun developing an impressive post game, which could lead to the two of them meshing and scoring at will down low.
Jones said it’s big to have the two forwards out on the floor at the same time because they can complement each others’ games.
“It’s important when Jordan’s out there on the floor that on both ends, offensively and defensively, he has to really make a solid, sound impact for us to be successful over the long haul,” Jones said. “I think with Jarell Martin and him, their presence and what they offer to this basketball team, it’s important that both of those guys are available for us.”
The pair has shown their dominance early, with both Martin and Mickey tallying four double-doubles this year which ties for the league lead with Auburn’s junior forward Cinmeon Bowers.
Mickey said moving forward it’ll be helpful to have a player who can pick up his performance when other players are having off nights, making the team dangerous when it clicks down the line.
“It’s big for us. Some guys are going to have some off games,or some games where you don’t score as many points,” Mickey said. “Just having that guy behind you that could help you pick up some of the slack is big for us.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.

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Javier Fernández

LSU sophomore forward Jarell Martin (1) lays up the ball during Tigers' 69-64 victory against Texas Tech Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 in the PMAC