Jordan. Miller. Bryant. James. Curry.
Those are just a handful of the names who’ve had dominant road performances in the place known as the The World’s Most Famous Arena — Madison Square Garden in New York City. The theory is all players attempt to bust out their best performances for the bright lights and glaring eyes of a Big Apple crowd. The truly great rise to the occasion.
He won’t be playing in Madison Square Garden, and he isn’t quite sure where he will be even a year from now, but LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons will get his shot at cementing his 6-foot-10 footprint in New York in what will be the fourth and fifth games of his collegiate career.
But when the Tigers tip off the semifinal of the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, New York, against Marquette University at 6 p.m. tonight at the Barclays Center, the exposure for the program could be more important.
“LSU is a tremendous brand, and it’s a great opportunity to go to New York and play in that type of venue this early part of the season,” LSU coach Johnny Jones said. “They have done a tremendous job with this tournament over the years. We are excited to be playing in it and having some quality competition.
“We will get tested. We will find out some things we are doing well and areas we need to continue to improve. It’s going to be a high level.”
The Tigers carry their 3-0 record — all double-digit wins — into a higher-profile environment. Marquette, along with North Carolina State University or Arizona State University, will present LSU with a challenge it has not seen yet, including Golden Eagles’ freshman forward Henry Ellenson.
Although Marquette started the season 1-2 with losses to Belmont University and the University of Iowa, Ellenson might be as talented as any player LSU will face in the early portion of the season. He averages 14 points and nine rebounds, working in tandem with junior center Luke Fischer.
“They’ve got a [forward] that may be considered a lottery pick freshman that can put the ball on the deck, has great size and strength, great in the post area that will create some problems for us as well,” Jones said. “That’s a tough matchup. They actually have two post guys that will present some challenges as to how we will defend them.”
Defending and rebounding, a problem area for LSU, won’t get any easier now that sophomore center Elbert Robinson III has a left ankle sprain he suffered during the game against the University of South Alabama on Nov. 19.
Robinson is listed as probable but he most likely won’t be 100 percent, leaving a need for sophomore forward Aaron Epps, junior forward Brian Bridgewater and junior center Darcy Malone to step to the forefront.
After being held out of play for conditioning purposes for the majority of last season, Robinson was a stabilizing force in the front court this season, averaging eight points and four rebounds in 16 minutes per game before the injury.
In Bridgewater’s mind, the key is just knowing your role if the lineup has to be adjusted.
“Whatever coach Jones needs me to play,” Bridgewater said. “I’m not looking to play a certain position. I’m just trying to get in the game and help my teammates out at the end of the day.”