LSU Basketball: Cameron Thomas excels in Tigers SEC opening win

Darius Days stepped up in a big way against the Aggies

Darius Days is a player that epitomizes what LSU basketball is all about. Sure, the Tigers may not always be able to find their way offensively (in terms of getting good looks), but you always know that Days (along with the other four players on the floor) are going to crash the offensive glass hard, and try to extend as many possessions as possible.

Even though the Tigers’ offensive was clicking for most of Tuesday night’s game, they still had to accept the inevitability of missing shots. Days used LSU’s missed shots as an opportunity for him to battle inside for offensive rebounds. In fact, a few of Days’ 18 points against Texas A&M came when he had to do whatever he needed to do, in order to keep the Tigers’ offensive possessions alive.

One of Days’ six offensive rebounds on Tuesday night came after Ja’Vonte Smart couldn’t connect on a three with 18:15 to play in the first half. As soon as Smart’s three-point attempt on the left-wing refused to fall, Days timed his jump perfectly, skied above Emanuel Miller and LaDamien Bradford, secured the ball with two hands, took one dribble to his right, and converted a jump hook one second later.

Similarly, after Cameron Thomas couldn’t get his step-back jumper to drop with 1:48 to play in the first half, Days took advantage of Kevin Marfo’s missed box-out by stepping in front of Marfo as the ball was in the air, possessing the ball with his right hand after it came off the rim, taking one power dribble into Savion Flagg (who decided to slide over and defend Days after Marfo stumbled backwards), and quickly getting the ball up on the rim with his inside hand (his right), after discovering that Flagg wasn’t offering a ton of resistance.

Plays similar to the ones that I just mentioned allow LSU to triumph over their opponents, even when they are struggling to successfully execute their sets. I also must point out that It helped to have Days prepared to drill three-pointers from either corner when Ja’Vonte Smart, Trendon Watford, and Josh Leblanc Sr, delivered timely passes to him after they noticed that Days’ defenders didn’t have their heads on a swivel.

If Days can continue to knock down triples when he is moderately open, and do whatever it takes to snag countless offensive rebounds, the Tigers will enjoy plenty of success in the SEC moving forward.