LSU men’s basketball missed the mark yet again, falling to Florida 79-61 on Tuesday night, despite its highest scorer being back in the lineup.
Dedan Thomas Jr. found himself back in the rotation tonight after missing several games due to a lower leg injury, which should have turned everything around for the Tigers. Unfortunately, this was not the case. He played decently but was clearly knocking off some of the rust from not playing for almost a month.
Head coach Matt McMahon said his absence was devastating for everyone, and that Thomas was considered day-to-day, which explains his short leash on Tuesday night.
“I’m never going to put anyone out there who’s not fully cleared and shown in practice that they’re ready to play,” McMahon said. “We would never put anyone at risk, regardless of circumstance there. DJ is doing everything in his power. Our medical team’s doing everything in their power. He’s 24/7, around the clock. He wants to be out there more than anything, to help his team.”
LSU has played the comeback game several times throughout the season, but has consistently fallen short in conference play. The Bayou Bengals have tried to do all of the little things right like getting to the free-throw line and making the majority of their shots, but there was one thing that always separated the top from the bottom: defense.
It’s been the same story all season, and it was no different on Tuesday night. LSU hasn’t been the team to force turnovers and stifle the opponent, and the Gators quickly snuffed out any flame the Tigers garnered at tipoff.
Before the first 10 minutes left on the play clock, the Gators had already taken the ball back and pulled away. The lead only grew larger as time passed, despite LSU’s best efforts.
The Tigers’ usually exciting offense was stifled by Florida, and with the hot and cold defense that’s been on display all season, the game was a recipe for disaster.
One question throughout nonconference play was that the defense could step up and pull it all together. After the losing streak to open up SEC play and this loss to Florida, the odds aren’t looking to be in the Tigers’ favor to rewrite the story.
On the defensive side of the ball, LSU found itself struggling to keep the ball in purple, and on the offensive side, missed baskets and communication issues would allow Florida to force a turnover.
After nearly half of the season has been played, a historically dominant school like LSU should have solidified its spot on everyone’s radar this season.
Nonetheless, the Tigers buckled under the pressure of the SEC again, falling with an incomplete performance. LSU will look to prevent a streak as it takes on Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
