In LSU men’s basketball’s regular season finale, the team treated fans to another helping of what they’ve gotten used to this season: rollercoaster second halves.
After trailing by seven early in the second half against Missouri, LSU put together a furious 36-8 run to pull ahead for good and sent the crowd home happy one last time with a 84-80 win, though not without a scare.
In the final five minutes, LSU took its foot off the gas and didn’t make a single shot from the floor. Though the game was, for all intents and purposes, out of reach, the collapse was worrying.
Still, head coach Matt McMahon and the players were more focused on the result.
“Always going to celebrate winning,” McMahon said.
Even as Missouri prevented a storybook senior night and made LSU sweat in the final minutes, it was a solid win for LSU.
LSU’s first half was riddled with mistakes, and Missouri’s offense consistently got the better of LSU’s defenders, whether it was open 3-pointers or successful drives to the paint.
The second half produced a much-needed change, as LSU immediately looked more intense. LSU was much more consistent in getting defensive stops and began to dictate the pace of the game by generating fast break opportunities, whereas in the first half it was LSU who was more often on its heels.
“We got to the point where we knew to lock in,” Trae Hannibal said. “Everybody got on the same page.”
On offense, LSU moved the ball around with dizzying speed and precision.
For the program’s senior night, the charge on both ends was led by the soon-to-be graduates’ contributions. Hannibal led the team with a career-high 24 points and five assists, while Hunter Dean, Jordan Wright and Will Baker added 12, 10 and seven points.
Missouri came in as a team that had struggled mightily to put together wins, with an 0-17 record in SEC play. However, Missouri is much better than that would suggest and had come within single digits in 10 of those losses.
In head coach Dennis Gates’ second year on the job, Missouri has been close time and time again, but it’s had a lot of trouble closing out games. When it gets down to the back end of the second half, Missouri has often crumbled.
That trend held true on Saturday, and LSU ensured Missouri would remain winless in the conference. In doing so, LSU moved to 17-14 on the year and 9-9 in the SEC.
Even though the program eventually wants to reach even higher heights, it’s a sign of great progress in the second year of McMahon’s tenure.
“Twenty-three months ago, LSU didn’t have a basketball program,” McMahon said. “I’m proud of the players that have joined us on the journey, the steps that we’ve made.”
Seniors reflect on their time with LSU
Prior to the win, LSU held its senior night ceremony, recognizing graduate students Baker, Dean, Hannibal and Wright and senior Mwani Wilkinson. Those five also honorarily comprised the starting lineup.
There are plenty of great stories among the seniors that were honored on Saturday. Take Wilkinson, who played his first two years of college under former Tiger head coach Will Wade and made the decision to stick it out with LSU when McMahon was hired.
His decision not to give up on a program clearly in a rough spot demonstrates his mental toughness, something that has made him a key leader for this LSU team. As someone whose family has roots in the local area, he’s taken pride in representing Louisiana and LSU.
“I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing, so I’m doing my hardest at it,” Wilkinson said of his leadership. “These young dudes mean a lot to me because I impact them just as they impact me.”
The other four players who were recognized are all transfers who made the remarkable decision to commit to a rebuild that they themselves likely wouldn’t see the end of. Among them is Wright, who grew up in the Baton Rouge area and has been the team’s leading scorer this year.
“This is a dream of mine to come here and play and to help rebuild this program,” Wright said. “Play a part in this journey… essentially help the rebuild end quicker.”
Dean is also a Louisiana native who grew up dreaming of playing for LSU. He’s been important as a steadying presence on defense all season, and his contributions were key on Saturday, as well.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Dean said of the senior night victory. “I definitely will remember this for the rest of my life.”
McMahon knew the gravity of this game and this moment for his seniors. Twenty-four years ago, he had his senior night as a member of Appalachian State. He still remembers the details of it like it was yesterday: a left-hand layup, a costly mental error, a subsequent chewing-out from his coach.
“I can go through every possession of the game,” McMahon said. “You remember your last time leaving the floor.”
For LSU’s senior class, their last time leaving the floor was just as unforgettable. They were key to the team’s turnaround and each had their moments while putting the team in the win column.
Each of LSU’s five seniors and fifth-year athletes have had an important impact in stabilizing the program following a historically bad season the year prior. Now, thanks to their contributions, LSU has a 9-9 record in conference play after being projected to finish as the second-worst team in the SEC.
“I know for a fact that LSU is headed in the right direction,” Wilkinson said.
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Young players give glimpse at bright future
In a night that was about LSU’s graduating seniors, two players who represent LSU’s future made statements. Sophomore wing Tyrell Ward and freshman guard Mike Williams III were important throughout the win and especially during the comeback.
Ward continued to show his growing offensive game, but he was once again most impactful from beyond the arc. He made three 3-pointers in the game, displaying his lethal range from deep.
With that continuing to be a game-breaking skill and Ward adding to his offensive arsenal, he’ll be an important piece and team leader in the coming years.
Williams had an impressive performance of his own, showing good decision-making with the ball. He took and made smart shots while showing his ability to attack off the dribble, a skill he’s had to utilize less since moving into an off-ball role.
He was also impactful on the defensive end, where he came up with two steals and a block. His energy and speed in recovering blew up many of Missouri’s plays in the second half.
What’s next?
With LSU’s regular season now over, the Tigers turn to the SEC Tournament. LSU will be the No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 Mississippi State in the second round on Thursday at noon.
In the first matchup between the two teams, Mississippi State defeated the Tigers handily, winning 87-67. The Bulldog defense, one of the best in the country, frustrated LSU from the jump, and freshman guard Josh Hubbard went off for 32 points.
Mississippi State’s win stopped LSU’s hot streak in its tracks, with the Tigers having at that point just beaten South Carolina and Kentucky back-to-back.
If LSU wins that matchup, Tennessee, the top team in the SEC, would be waiting to face LSU on Friday. LSU will be hoping to make an unlikely run for the conference tournament crown and an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
