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What to expect on Monday night:

Scouting Report: LSU Tigers
By BrandonRamsey
LSU

General

Very, very good rebounding team. 11th in the nation in rebounding.
Athletic players who get out in the passing lanes and force turnovers. Force over 14 TO’s per game.
Will play a fast-paced, loose game. Quite a bit of freedom on both ends.
Talented group that is looking for a signature win.
Personnel

#1 PG Anthony Hickey: 5’11’’ 182 JR

Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey
Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey
The Hopkinsville native and Christian County High School graduate is a great defensive player who will look to disrupt the opposing ball handler; he averages 2.5 steals per game. Offensively, Hickey does a good job of taking care of the ball and will shoot a lot of 3-pointers (31/92, 33.7%). The junior point guard averages 8.5 points and 3 assists to just 1 turnover per game.

#24 SG Malik Morgan: 6’4’’ 199 SO

Lefty. Malik isn’t a very offensive-minded player and will generally play fewer minutes than two guys who will come off the Tiger’s bench. He is a good athlete who will crash the offensive glass hard. He averages 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

#5 SF Shavon Coleman: 6’5’’ 195 SR

Some players are athletic, but Shavon Coleman is VERY athletic. He will get out into the passing lanes defensively to get some steals, and will look to cause some havoc by simply flying around the court. The lone senior in the starting lineup averages 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, plus over 1 steal per game. Shavon will shoot some 3’s; he is 20/59, 33.9% from beyond the arc. He has a very quick first step and will look to drive from the perimeter off the dribble some.

#25 PF Jordan Mickey: 6’8’’ 220 FR

The freshman big man has put together a great season so far for LSU. Mickey is averaging 13 points, 7.2 rebounds, and over 3 blocks per game. Just like on defense to block shots, Mickey will use his great timing and length to clean the offensive glass. When he has the ball in the post he is turnover prone; UK should try and pressure him when he has the ball.

#2 C Johnny O’Bryant III: 6’9’’ 256 JR

O'Bryant averages over 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.
O’Bryant averages over 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.
A reigning All-SEC 1st Team selection, O’Bryant is putting together another fantastic season. Like fellow big man Jordan Mickey, O’Bryant is a great offensive rebounder. He is averaging 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He is an aggressive offensive player who has the freedom to do a lot of things; he will step away from the basket and knock down some jumpers and will bang around some on the low block.

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#10 PG Andre Stringer: 5’10’’ 190 SR

Andre will come off of the bench, but he plays 27 minutes per game and is the Tiger’s 3rd leading scorer with 12 points per game. He is LSU’s best 3-point shooter, knocking in 36 of 92 shots from beyond the arc (39.1%). Stringer is also a great free throw shooter; 42/50 for 84%. Strong, physical guard.

#12 PF Jarell Martin: 6’9’’ 241 FR

Another LSU substitute that plays 20+ minutes off the bench, Martin is an extremely talented player averaging 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. Just like all of the Tiger’s big men, he will grab his fair share of offensive rebounds. He will step out and shoot a 3-pointer, shooting 37% on the season (10/27).

#55 G Tim Quarterman: 6’6’’ 173 FR

Quarterman plays the role of 8th man; he averages just 2.9 points per game and isn’t a big offensive threat. He is very long and athletic.

LSU Offense

The Tigers are an aggressive offensive team that will look to push it in transition. Anthony Hickey is a very good decision maker who is capable of making things happen during the fast break or in the half court. All of LSU’s players have quite a bit of freedom offensively to create shots or take 3-pointers.
Along with a group of athletic guards who can get up and down the floor, LSU’s big men (Mickey, O’Bryant, and Martin) do a good job of running the court in transition as well. This is a team that will try and speed up the tempo.
The Tiger’s really utilize the baseline offensively. Their primary offensive set will feature two players up top (1 on either wing), the two “bigs” on either block, and then a baseline “runner” who will run to which ever side of the floor the ball is on. As the baseline runner switches sides of the floor he will run off of two screens (a “staggered double”) from the big men on the blocks. This is where they get a lot of their 3-point looks or a quick drive off the catch.
Further utilizing the baseline, if teams do a good job of chasing that baseline runner around, sometimes Hickey or Stringer will dribble the ball over to one side of the floor and dribble-drive on the baseline as the big men seal their man down low. This also allows for an open shot for a shooter spotted up in the opposite corner or on the wing.
LSU Defense

Just as they try to play pretty fast and loose offensively, LSU has a similar style defensively. They use their length and athleticism to really attack the passing lanes and will create turnovers. They average 9.2 steals per game, and they also do a good job of protecting the rim, averaging 6.5 blocks per game.
Many teams mix in some zone defense against Kentucky, but I think the other type of defense you may see from the Tigers would be a full-court press. At some point they will decide to pick up full-court to try and speed things up and force some more turnovers.
Keys to the Game

LSU is a talented team that is very capable of beating the ‘Cats. Johnny O’Bryant and Jordan Mickey are very talented players are both capable of causing teams a lot of problems down low. Julius Randle, Willie-Cauley Stein, and Dakari Johnson will need to come to play, on both ends of the floor, in order to not allow the Tigers to take an upper hand here.
Do not allow LSU to control the tempo. Kentucky obviously plays fairly fast and loose as well, however if this turns into a real track meet I think that LSU may have the advantage (especially being at home). Andrew Harrison, and the rest of the Wildcats for that matter, will need to really focus on taking care of the ball. Some turnovers will happen, especially against a team like LSU that does a good job of forcing them, but we will need to cut out the purely careless turnovers.
Win the rebounding battle. LSU is a very good rebounding team, especially on the offensive glass. Luckily, Kentucky, at least statistically, is an even better rebounding team.
Brandon Ramsey

@BRamsey_KSR

Thanks Ponyscott.

They are going to be tough to beat...glad its at home..they have some great athletes and play up tempo and create TO's...better be ready. J Jones has found his niche at LSU.

Just based on W/L, they seem very up and down - KY, beat Ark

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... lsu-tigers

Damn, that report makes them sound like the Miami Heat. If they are THAT good, why are they playing us AT HOME in the lowly NIT?

Run their asses out of the gym!

ojaipony wrote:Damn, that report makes them sound like the Miami Heat. If they are THAT good, why are they playing us AT HOME in the lowly NIT?

Run their asses out of the gym!

Yes sir!!!

Not taking this lightly, in my mind we are the underdog.

Plenty of time to prepare. We'll be ready.

I am sure both teams will be ready. Both teams have played up and down this year. Will the SMU that played against UConn show up or the one the lost to USF? Will the LSU that beat Kentucky show up or the one that lost to URI? Both coaches are in their second year and both are building their programs well. One thing is for sure if both teams bring their "A" game this will be a monster game to see.

they remind me of Houston. Capable of beating some teams but really are not that good. Just athletic

Seems to me like there is an interesting point guard matchup here with potential for one or both to get in foul trouble. And it would seem like if we out-rebound them we've got a better then average shot at the win.

Hey guys,

LSU fan here, but I come in peace! I just wanted to talk basketball.

I'm really looking forward to the game Monday night. LSU has been a very up and down team all year like many of you noticed. LSU has won their last 2 road games after struggling to find W's away from home all year. The starting lineup is a little different than the scouting report states due to an injury to Malik Morgan.

PG Hickey 5'11"
SF Coleman 6'5"
SF Martin 6'9"
PF Mickey 6'8"
C O'Bryant 6'9"

The offense runs almost exclusively thru Johnny O'Bryant. He is the engine that moves LSU's offense. Every team except UK (when we beat them) has double teamed him and I expect SMU to do the same. LSU's offense is at its best when JOB is passing out of the double team. If SMU cannot find their form after the double team then LSU will take advantage.

Martin has come on very strong as of late. He was a McDonalds All American last year and can hit shots from deep but is best when he is driving to the rim. He has very good body control and likes to go to the rim hard. And noone wants to get in the way cause he is a freight train.

Coleman loves to hit three's from the deep corner. Especially off skip passes from the opposite side of the court or from the inside. Andre Stringer is only 5'10" (maybe shorter) but he jumps out of the gym and will shoot from just about anywhere on the court with accuracy. He is second all time on LSU's 3 pointers list.

Jordan Mickey has struggled offensively lately and is not the best on ball defender but it's tough to drive into the lane with Mickey there to block your shot. He led the SEC in blocks.

LSU's 3/4 court trapping press has been pretty effective this year, but the Tigers won't use it unless they are down double digits. Early season, depth seemed like a positive for LSU, but the first 7 are so much better than the rest that very few minutes go to those outside the top 7.

Quarterman will come off the bench and will bring some disruptive defense to the PG position at 6'6". He can also get into the lane almost at will. He has shot better lately, but he isn't much of a scoring threat.

At home, I think LSU could beat SMU, but on the road SMU certainly has the advantage over LSU.

Most of LSU's losses have come when Johnny O'Bryant has gotten into foul trouble so your #1 priority should be to attack JOB. LSU seems lost without him in there. Any questions I'll gladly answer. I have probably followed this LSU team closer than anyone else. Hoping for a great game!

GeauxHoops wrote:Hey guys,

LSU fan here, but I come in peace! I just wanted to talk basketball.

I'm really looking forward to the game Monday night. LSU has been a very up and down team all year like many of you noticed. LSU has won their last 2 road games after struggling to find W's away from home all year. The starting lineup is a little different than the scouting report states due to an injury to Malik Morgan.

PG Hickey 5'11"
SF Coleman 6'5"
SF Martin 6'9"
PF Mickey 6'8"
C O'Bryant 6'9"

The offense runs almost exclusively thru Johnny O'Bryant. He is the engine that moves LSU's offense. Every team except UK (when we beat them) has double teamed him and I expect SMU to do the same. LSU's offense is at its best when JOB is passing out of the double team. If SMU cannot find their form after the double team then LSU will take advantage.

Martin has come on very strong as of late. He was a McDonalds All American last year and can hit shots from deep but is best when he is driving to the rim. He has very good body control and likes to go to the rim hard. And noone wants to get in the way cause he is a freight train.

Coleman loves to hit three's from the deep corner. Especially off skip passes from the opposite side of the court or from the inside. Andre Stringer is only 5'10" (maybe shorter) but he jumps out of the gym and will shoot from just about anywhere on the court with accuracy. He is second all time on LSU's 3 pointers list.

Jordan Mickey has struggled offensively lately and is not the best on ball defender but it's tough to drive into the lane with Mickey there to block your shot. He led the SEC in blocks.

LSU's 3/4 court trapping press has been pretty effective this year, but the Tigers won't use it unless they are down double digits. Early season, depth seemed like a positive for LSU, but the first 7 are so much better than the rest that very few minutes go to those outside the top 7.

Quarterman will come off the bench and will bring some disruptive defense to the PG position at 6'6". He can also get into the lane almost at will. He has shot better lately, but he isn't much of a scoring threat.

At home, I think LSU could beat SMU, but on the road SMU certainly has the advantage over LSU.

Most of LSU's losses have come when Johnny O'Bryant has gotten into foul trouble so your #1 priority should be to attack JOB. LSU seems lost without him in there. Any questions I'll gladly answer. I have probably followed this LSU team closer than anyone else. Hoping for a great game!

Thanks for the post....good points to ponder and we wish you the best of luck NEXT year after we beat you Monday.
Should be a good game anyway...hopefully the home court advantage works for us.

sadderbudweiser wrote:Seems to me like there is an interesting point guard matchup here with potential for one or both to get in foul trouble. And it would seem like if we out-rebound them we've got a better then average shot at the win.

Anthony Hickey is a big key for LSU. Quarterman has been okay to good at times but overall has struggled at times. Hickey has gotten himself into trouble at times and it has never bode well for LSU.

GeauxHoops wrote:but on the road SMU certainly has the advantage over LSU.

I'd say over everyone!

Thanks for the update.

Good luck to you all as well, hope we win, but hope it's an exciting game, which I think everyone is expecting it to be.