Vanderbilt and LSU will meet in their final regular season game as two teams heading in opposite directions; can the Commodores impede the Tigers’ quest to win the SEC?
TV schedule: Saturday, March 9, 8:30 pm ET. SECN
Arena: Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Things have gone from bad to worse for head coach Bryce Drew and Vanderbilt (9-21). The season was derailed with the loss of future lottery pick Darius Garland, but this Commodores squad hasn’t put up much of a fight lately. They’ve lost 18 games in a row and are enduring the worst season the program has ever seen. On Wednesday, they dropped their final home game to Arkansas by 36 points, just the latest poor effort from this team.
The offense has been rough at times for these Commodores, but their leading scorer has been sophomore guard Saben Lee (12.4 ppg, 4.0 apg). Lee has had a pair of 24-point performances, but really struggled against the Razorbacks. Freshman forward Aaron Nesmith (11.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) has been the player getting it done on offense recently, but it hasn’t been enough. Fellow freshman forward Simisola Shittu (11.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg) has been quite a disappointment
The Commodores play in the SEC, so their abysmal record and long losing streak has only lowered them to 144th in KenPom. Bryce Drew’s team plays better defense (107th) than offense (211th); that offense has been a major problem. This is a bad rebounding team that can’t shoot 3-pointers, but at least they’re 19th in free throw shooting.
For LSU (25-5), this season has been the complete opposite and they find themselves at the top of the SEC. They just won a close overtime game at Florida, completing a 9-0 road sweep through the SEC, including big wins at Ole Miss and Kentucky. These Tigers are playing excellent basketball and head coach Will Wade has really turned things around in Baton Rouge in a very short time.
Editor’s note: Will Wade has been indefinitely suspended due to allegations of improper recruiting conduct
There are a slew of talented players on this Tigers roster. Sophomore guard Tremont Waters (15.4 ppg, 5.8 apg) recently returned from injury and led the way with 19 points against the Gators on Wednesday. Freshman forward Naz Reid (13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg) is a force down low who can also hit outside shots. An argument could be made that junior guard Skylar Mays (13.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) is the team’s most efficient player and is their best free throw shooter.
These 10th ranked Tigers sit at 17th in KenPom and boast the 11th best team in offensive efficiency. This team is solid down low, entering the game as the 5th best offensive rebounding unit. Outside shooting has been a struggle at time, but this team has plenty of weapons to attack down low.
For the Commodores, they have to completely forget about their last 18 games and play their best ball or an 0-18 conference record is inevitable. Hitting shots and playing stellar defense for forty minutes is a necessity. For the Tigers, clinching an SEC title on Senior Night will give plenty of motivation for this team. If they dominate the boards, they should take care of business at home.
The Tigers slipped up at home to Arkansas and Florida, but I don’t see them slipping up for a third time. These Commodores have really struggled without Langford, and this season can’t end quick enough for Vanderbilt. Expect LSU to ride to an easy win at home.