LSU Basketball: Keys to success in crucial home game vs. Tennessee

3) Make Tennessee’s supporting cast win the game

The other part of Tennessee’s identity that was celebrated during their win streak was their balance offensively.

Yes, Williams and Schofield were the stars, but they managed to get contributions from everyone. All five starters average at least 10.8 points per game and they get roughly 20 points a night from their bench.

Those numbers did not translate when Tennessee took that (major) step up in competition Saturday against Kentucky. Williams, Schofield, and Jordan Bone were the only players who scored more than four points.

Part of the reason for Tennessee’s struggles in that game is because they focused their defense on Tennessee’s two stars. Williams was limited to just four shots and Schofield shot just 1/6 from three-point range before fouling out. They tried to force the rest of the Vols to beat them – and the supporting cast couldn’t do it.

We already talked about LSU’s frontcourt and the skills they have that will make life tough on Williams and Schofield. LSU’s guards are also great at helping out down low with double teams, steals, and rotations. Expect the Tigers to employ a similar gameplan as Kentucky.

LSU has not won the SEC regular season title (or a share of it) since 2009. They likely need to beat Tennessee if they’re going to end that drought, and they’ll do just that if they succeed in all three of these areas.