The season had a different feel when LSU and Alabama first met Jan. 11.
LSU had won eight of its previous nine games, and talks of an NCAA tournament berth were brewing as the Tigers entered Southeastern Conference play.
But LSU lost, 69-53, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Since that defeat, the Tigers have lost five of their last seven contests, and the once-promising season has turned bleak.
LSU will seek redemption for what LSU coach Trent Johnson called a “sluggish” performance when they host the Tide for a rematch in the PMAC on Saturday.
“As a whole group we have to be better,” Johnson said. “With their type of pressure, you have to do a good job at taking care of the ball.”
Alabama ran full-court pressure in the teams’ first meeting, resulting in a turnover-filled contest for LSU. The Tigers turned over the ball 15 times, leading the Crimson Tide to earn 25 points off the LSU miscues.
“One thing we know we can look forward to is that they’re going to press us,” said senior forward Storm Warren. “We’re going to slow the game down, and I don’t think we’re going to have any problem at all.”
One player missing from the rematch will be Alabama junior forward Tony Mitchell, who was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules. Mitchell had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting, but Johnson said the Tide hasn’t suffered in his absence.
“They’re playing extremely well, and it doesn’t surprise me because [senior forward] JaMychal Green and [sophomore guard] Trevor Releford are very talented,” Johnson said.
“When you’re as talented and as deep as they are, you have guys that haven’t played that want to step up.”
Green and Releford have each averaged double-digit scoring this season, but Johnson said his team needs to focus on themselves before worrying about others.
“It’s the same old adage for us: We need to concern ourselves with us,” Johnson said. “We have to continue to trust each other and continue to play through
adversity.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]