LSU has had pretty smooth sailing during this young season.
The Tigers (3-0) should experience quieter conditions when they take on Alcorn State (0-5) Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
LSU was challenged more in its most recent game — a 98-81 win over visiting FIU last Thursday — than in its first two games, which the Tigers view as a good thing.
After leading at halftime by 16 and 12 points in wins by 36 and 35 points, respectively, over Tarleton State and New Orleans, the Tigers led FIU by just five points at the break before pulling away in the second half.
“It’s good to know that we can get through this even if situations haven’t gone the way we want them to,” said forward Michael Nwoko. “We’re going to face adversity no matter what, so being able to get through it will help us in the long run.”
Nwoko, a 6-foot-10 transfer from Mississippi State, is one of the reasons LSU has averaged a 16.3 rebound advantage over its first three opponents.
“We want to play physical and take advantage of our size in the frontcourt,” Tigers head coach Matt McMahon said.
The Tigers’ interior strength allowed them to get to the free throw line with regularity and they took advantage by making 30 of 34 against FIU.
“Getting to the free throw line 34 times and making 30 of them will put you in a good position to win every time,” McMahon said.
The free throw line has always been a useful area for LSU, which averages 11.7 more free throws per game than its opponents and has taken advantage by making 80.2 percent of its free throws.
Alcorn has already suffered losses of 20 points at Maryland, 32 at Florida State and 45 at Minnesota. The Braves won’t play a home game until Jan. 17, when they play their 16th game of the season.
“I think we have a really good team,” first-year head coach Jake Morton said. “We probably have one of the busiest non-conference schedules in the country. We’re going to find a way to get through it.”
The Braves’ top two scorers come off the bench: former Niagara guard Shane Lancaster (13.8 ppg) and FDU transfer Jameel Morris (10.2 ppg). Lancaster made 14 of 25 3-point attempts.
–Field level media
