The LSU Tigers apparently know when to get hot.
With six games remaining, the Tigers are fresh off their season’s biggest and most exciting win against the formerly No.1-ranked Florida Gators.
LSU’s victory over the Gators put them in the Top 25 (No. 24 AP) for the first time this season.
LSU (17-4, 7-3 SEC) is coming off five consecutive Southeastern Conference victories. With a weak Auburn team (12-9, 3-7 SEC) heading into the Pete Maravich Assembly Center tonight, LSU should not face much resistance against the Auburn Tigers.
Brady said he hopes his team does not fall victim to the notorious “letdown game,” where LSU possibly could look past conference bottom-feeder Auburn after a thrilling victory against top-contender Florida.
“With Auburn’s record, you may assume they’re not very good, and that’s not true,” Brady said. “They haven’t been able to win close games. Something just hasn’t worked for them this year. They have five players back from when they went to the Sweet 16 last year.”
Guard Darrel Mitchell said he is not surprised with LSU’s recent success.
“That was a big win, but we knew coming into the season that we would be a contending team in the SEC,” Mitchell said. Auburn head coach Cliff Ellis said LSU will be a tough test for his team tonight because of their balanced attack.
“They are a great team,” Ellis said. “They really don’t have an area where you can slack off on. Their point guards are very good in the open floor. Their wings can shoot. Their inside people can rebound and score. It makes them a very strong basketball team.”
That inside-outside combination has come from a variety of players, but the unquestionable leader for LSU inside is Jaime Lloreda.
Lloreda, LSU’s leading scorer and rebounder, has played with bursitis in his left Achilles for approximately the past month. He came up big against Florida on Saturday, putting up 19 points and 9 rebounds, despite rolling his right foot twice on Saturday. Lloreda is averaging 17.5 points and 11.9 rebounds for the season.
Lloreda is listed as probable, and forward Regis Koundjia is listed doubtful with a knee injury.
Mitchell said Lloreda has been nothing short of outstanding. Mitchell said he was worried when Lloreda went down in Florida because he means so much to the team. Mitchell said he was not surprised that Lloreda returned shortly afterward because of Lloreda’s toughness, likening Lloreda to an army sergeant.
Darrel Mitchell has been red hot from behind the arc, shooting 16-of-25 from 3-point range in LSU’s last five games. Mitchell leads all guards in points and steals for the season, despite starting in only the past three games. Mitchell scored 18 points against Florida.
Mitchell credited Lloreda and Brandon Bass for taking double teams that free himself and teammates with open 3-point shots. He said the difference in the past five games is the guards have been making those shots.
“We kinda struggled at the beginning with our shooting,” Mitchell said. “But we’ve been hitting perimeter shots and that’s been making the difference in the last five games.”
As of Tuesday, the Tigers were 200 tickets short of selling out the PMAC’s 14,164 seats. Today could mark LSU’s first sellout of the season if the remaining tickets are purchased.
Reduced ticket prices played a big part in the increased sales. The tickets, which normally are sold for $12, went on sale for $6, until today.
Brady said he appreciates the fans who come to games to support LSU basketball.
“I think it’s great,” Brady said. “If we can pick up extra fans, I’m appreciative of that. I appreciate what Skip Bertman does.”
The Tigers need to continue winning if they are to catch front-runner Mississippi State, which boasts a 10-1 SEC record. But Brady said he does not plan to look forward to Mississippi State or the NCAA tournament.