LSU Tigers: 3 Thoughts on Loss against Auburn

LSU’s loss to Auburn really stings this time of the year

On Jan. 8, LSU lost to a non-talented Missouri team in overtime 74-67, then three games later, the Tigers lost to a talented Texas A&M team at home, 67-64. After its loss to the Aggies, LSU went on a three-game winning streak, defeating Florida, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina. Mississippi State ended the Tigers’ 3-game winning streak, defeating LSU 73-67. On Thursday night, Auburn (11-11, 3-6 Southeastern Conference) handed the Tigers their fourth loss in the SEC.

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At the end of the season, the NCAA committee will consider last night’s game including the Missouri Tigers game as bad losses. Don’t you think so? This year’s LSU team has enough talent to finish in the top five of their conference, but the fans may not get a chance to see it happen. At this point, the Tigers are gradually starting to scratch the surface for a NIT bid. Now, the season is not over, but I have seen enough of LSU to know how the rest of its season is going to go. The Tigers next two games are at home against Alabama and No. 1 Kentucky.

They should beat the Crimson Tide, but expect a loss on the battlefield against the Wildcats. LSU simply lacks depth and each player in its starting five plays close to 30 minutes each night. Kentucky, which has depth up to 11 players, will wear down the Tigers as the game goes on.

Auburn is on the rise under Bruce Pearl

Auburn’s coach Bruce Pearl is now 6-3 all-time against LSU after his team defeated the Tigers 81-77 inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Pearl is a winner on the sidelines and has quality talent to go out there and compete each and every night. Pearl will lose KT Harrell and Antoine Mason after this season, but Cinmeon Bowers will return as the team’s focal point on both sides of the basketball. With his 16-point, 10-rebound performance against the Tigers, there’s no need to doubt what he brings to the court. This year is only the beginning for Auburn basketball. Pearl already has five guys signed for the 2015 class, with the most notable being 6-foot-8, 212-pound small forward Horace Spencer out of Warminster, PA.

Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are not enough for LSU

In Thursday night’s 81-77 loss to Auburn, Mickey amassed his 13th double-double of the season with a 23-point, 12 -rebound performance. Martin followed with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Yet, it still wasn’t enough to beat a less talented, but physical Tigers team. LSU’s frontcourt is solid but coach Johnny Jones group lacks depth, which is hurting them in close games. I know Josh Gray, Keith Hornsby, Tim Quarterman, Mickey, and Martin are tired bodies after playing the first 20 minutes, but they have to stay on the court.

If it wasn’t for the Tigers’ starting five, LSU (16-6, 5-4 SEC) would be at the bottom of their respected conference. I am just speaking the truth here and without a sturdy bench, don’t expect the Tigers to go far from here after last night’s diminishing loss.

Who else is going to come off the bench for the Tigers? Can you name someone? Oh yeah, maybe freshman guard Jalyn Patterson, but he’s only one piece to a puzzle that may never be solved.

Next: What happened to the Florida Gators?

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