Busting Brackets
Fansided

LSU Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Tigers

By Brian Rauf

COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 04: Jalyn Patterson #11 of the LSU Tigers shoots as Kevin Puryear #24 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game at Mizzou Arena on January 4, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 04: Jalyn Patterson #11 of the LSU Tigers shoots as Kevin Puryear #24 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game at Mizzou Arena on January 4, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 15: Penny Hardaway attends the Sears Shooting Stars Competition 2014 as part of the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 15: Penny Hardaway attends the Sears Shooting Stars Competition 2014 as part of the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 15, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 6: SE Louisiana
Nov. 9: UNC-Greensboro
Nov. 13: Memphis
Nov. 16: Louisiana Tech
Nov. 22-25: AdvoCare Invitational
Dec. 1: Grambling
Dec. 9: Incarnate Word
Dec. 12: at Houston
Dec. 15: vs. Saint Mary’s (in Las Vegas)
Dec. 21: Furman
Dec. 28: UL-Monroe

LSU’s non-conference schedule is not loaded with tough tests, but there are a number of high-profile showdowns on the schedule. That will work in favor of this young team as it will give them time to mesh and figure out their roles while also being tested.

However, there is a chance that LSU will play one of the country’s biggest games in November. Should everything break right in the AdvoCare Invitational, the Tigers will take on Villanova in the tournament title game. LSU will open the Invitational against a very good College of Charleston team before facing the winner of UAB/Florida State. Oklahoma State, Memphis, and Canisius are also in the field.

Speaking of Memphis, LSU will face them in the first week of the season. The Tigers are on the rise under new head coach Penny Hardaway, but they’re still a year away from really being competitive. UNC-Greensboro may actually be the toughest test of that first week (the Spartans nearly beat Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year).

Two more games against Houston and Saint Mary’s highlight the second half of the non-conference schedule, yet both teams are expected to take steps back after successful 2017-18 campaigns. LSU will be clear favorites in both games.

Home/LSU Tigers