LSU men’s basketball opened SEC play with a 75-72 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.
The Tigers have consistently been a scoring powerhouse in the 2025 season, but an announcement that the Tigers’ starting point guard Dedan Thomas Jr.’s would be absent left the offense stifled by the Aggies early.
Entering SEC play, the message from head coach Matt McMahon was to continue doing what they’ve done so far, which is playing and improving as they have done so far.
“I think the common sense standpoint would be our approach would be everyone zero and zero,” McMahon said during the pre-SEC presser. “Our players understand where we’re going to have to be better in certain areas, but if you’re a competitor, what else can you ask for for the next 10 weeks, play against the best teams in the country, I think our players just need to be locked in this week.”
A big part of A&M’s gameplan without Thomas to worry about was to try and slow Marquel Sutton’s game, and while it succeeded, Mike Nwoko and Max MacKinnon picked up the slack for the purple and gold.
Nwoko has made a name for himself so far this season, and his prior experience in the SEC has set him up for another successful season.
The Mississippi State transfer started each SEC game last season, and is expected to be a leader, McMahon said in the pre-conference presser.
In the game versus Texas A&M, he scored 21 points, going 7-for-10 from the field.
MacKinnon has consistently held the LSU offense together so far this season, especially behind the 3-point line. He’s the team’s second highest percentage shooter from that area of the court.
McMahon says MacKinnon’s consistency comes from his confidence handling the ball and communicating on the court.
“[Mackinnon’s] also well over positive assist to turnover ratio,” McMahon said. “He’s another secondary ball handler, passer, decision maker. I think he keeps getting better and better. He’s had 20 minutes where he didn’t shoot it well one game, and then for the most part, he’s been really, really consistent.”
Versus the Aggies on Saturday, he scored 20 points, going 7-for-18 from the field and 4-for-9 from behind the 3-point line.
Thomas missed today’s game with lower leg injury. His absence from the game contributed to the slow offensive start, as he is the team’s highest scorer.
It was announced pregame that routine starter Thomas would be out, which is a huge loss for the Tigers, especially after having to adjust for Jalen Reed not being in the lineup earlier this season.
However once the Tigers adjusted, they put up a fight and made a comeback in the first half to end the half down three. But it ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome the complete Aggie performance.
The drama-filled end of the game took to Texas A&M’s favor, and it wasn’t enough for the Tigers to beat the buzzer.
LSU looks to even the record in SEC play on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. when it takes on South Carolina to kick off their SEC homestand.
