LSU Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers 
When/Where: Saturday at 3 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena | Knoxville, Tennessee
Television: SEC Network
Radio: WDGL-FM 98.1 (Baton Rouge)
Last Meeting: LSU and Tennessee played once last season, and the Volunteers finished on top with a 68-50 thumping of the Tigers in the PMAC. It was Tennessee’s sixth consecutive victory in the series.
LSU’s last game: The Tigers battled No. 1 Kentucky down to the wire but ultimately fell, 71-69, Tuesday night in the PMAC. It was LSU’s third loss in the last four games.
Tennessee’s last game: The Volunteers and Vanderbilt couldn’t settle things in regulation Wednesday, but it was Tennessee that pulled through with a 76-73 victory. LSU’s loss and the Vols’ win put both teams at 6-5 and tied for sixth in the Southeastern Conference standings.
Tennessee (14-9, 6-5 SEC)
Possible Starters and Top Reserves
Senior [G] Josh Richardson (6’6’’): 16.1 ppg, 35.6 mpg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg 46.5% FG (133-286).
Junior [G] Kevin Punter (6’4’’): 10.9 ppg, 30.8 mpg, 2.3 rpg, 40.8% 3-point FG (31-76).
Sophomore [G] Robert Hubbs III (6’6’’): 6.9 ppg, 22.9 mpg, 2.9 rpg, 42.9% FG (60-140).
Junior [F] Armani Moore (6’5’’): 10.5 ppg, 31.0 mpg, 6.7 rpg, 43.7% FG (90-206).
Junior [F] Derek Reese (6’8’’): 5.7 ppg, 24.6 mpg, 5.3 rpg, 40.7% FG (44-108).
Freshman [F] Willie Carmichael III (6’8’’): 3.4 ppg, 15.9 mpg, 2.4 rpg, 50.8% FG (32-63).
Junior [G] Devon Baulkman (6’5’’): 4.6 ppg, 14.3 mpg, 2.2 rpg, 41.9% 3-point FG (18-43).
LSU (17-7, 6-5 SEC)
Possible Starters and Top Reserves:
Sophomore [G] Tim Quarterman (6’6’’): 11.8 ppg, 32.8 mpg, 5.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 43% FG (95-221).
Junior [G] Keith Hornsby (6’4’’): 12.7 ppg, 35.2 mpg, 4.4 rpg, 37.1% 3-point FG (46-124).
Sophomore [F] Jarell Martin (6’10’’): 16.2 ppg, 35.1 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 49% FG (142-290).
Sophomore [F] Jordan Mickey (6’8’’): 17.0 ppg, 35.3 mpg, 10.8 rpg, 3.7 bpg, 52.7% FG (156-296).
Freshman [G] Jalyn Patterson (6’0’’): 5.5 ppg, 20.8 mpg, 1.1 spg, 35.5% 3-point FG (22-62).
Sophomore [F] Darcy Malone (7’0’’): 1.2 ppg, 9.6 mpg, 1.3 rpg, 43.8% FG (7-16).
Junior [G] Josh Gray (6’1’’): 8.5 ppg, 28.3 mpg, 4.3 apg, 40.6% FG (71-175).
Three Things to Watch for
How does LSU respond?
This is the question on everyone’s mind.
The Tigers battled undisputed No. 1 Kentucky closer than any other team has this season. LSU outshot the Wildcats (47.5 percent to 45.6), nearly matched them in the paint (42-40) and had a 66-60 lead with less than eight minutes remaining.
But the Tigers couldn’t hold off the nation’s best, suffering a narrow defeat in a game they led with two minutes left. It was LSU’s third loss in four games, making Saturday’s game near a must-win.
However, LSU has responded well after defeat this season. The Tigers are 5-1 after a loss in with three double-digit wins. But LSU’s lone defeat came to Auburn, which currently sits in a three-way tie for 11th in the SEC standings.
Stopping Richardson
At 6-5 in SEC play, Tennessee sits in a tie with LSU for sixth place in the league, and senior guard Josh Richardson is a huge reason why.
Richardson put the Volunteers on his back during their 76-73 overtime victory against Vanderbilt on Wednesday, scoring 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field. It was the second time in three games Richardson scored at least 27 points.
But Richardson is more than Tennessee’s leading scorer — he’s the Vols’ leading assist man (3.7 apg), leading stealer (2.0 spg), leading player (35.6 mpg) and third-leading rebounder (4.1 rpg).
LSU coach Johnny Jones hinted that sophomore guard Tim Quarterman may get the tough defensive assignment of Richardson to start but added it would also be defense “by committee.”
The Tigers have allowed eight 20-point scorers this season, including four in SEC play.
Doing what it does best
In its last two games, LSU has kept to its strength — getting to the paint.
The Tigers have outscored opponents 68-62 in the paint in the last two games. In those games, LSU totaled 20 shots 3-pointer range. The Tigers went a combined 8-for-40 from deep during their recent two-game losing streak a few games ago.
With sophomore forwards Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey playing at All-SEC levels, it’s easy to understand why Jones wants LSU to relentlessly attack the paint. Both Mickey and Martin rank in the top five in the SEC in scoring and and top three in rebounding, and Mickey leads the league on blocks at 3.7 per night.
Against Kentucky, Martin and Mickey combined for 37 points on 14-of-23 shooting and 18 rebounds. Given Vanderbilt’s 36 points in the paint against Tennessee on Wednesday, the Tigers will likely give the Vols a heavy dose of Martin and Mickey inside.