LSU Basketball: Despite SEC title game loss, Tigers still a threat in Big Dance
By Nick Andre
In a very intense back and forth battle, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 80-79 to secure the SEC championship. The chippiness was displayed throughout the game from the teams jawing pregame to trash-talking on the floor. Despite the heartbreaking defeat for LSU Basketball, coach Wade and his team should be happy for the way they competed Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers started the game on a slow start. But after a Cam Thomas bomb three from the top of the key, that was where things began for the Tigers. LSU did a terrific job of crashing the glass and forcing turnovers for the Crimson Tide.
Their effort on the defensive end led to good opportunities on the offensive side of the floor. Not to mention, the Tigers’ terrific ball movement on offense was great as far as floor spacing. The team couldn’t ask for a better game out of their players. It was a near-perfect effort in a sufferable loss.
The MVP for the Tigers through the game was Trendon Watford. In case people couldn’t tell, this game meant everything for Watford as LSU was fighting to bring the championship trophy back to their school. Watford became the floor general and enforcer throughout the game. He was guiding his teammates to certain spots on offense so they could grab a good opportunity for a high percentage shot. As Watford became the leader on the floor, the scoring came easy for him throughout the course of the game.
Watford finished the game with 30 points and eight rebounds. He continued to find easy to shake the Alabama defense to find easy opportunities at the rim. On occasion, Watford even hit a few outside shots to build on LSU’s small lead in the second half. Its safe to say that the Tigers needed every bit of Watford’s scoring and assertiveness on the floor. His energy lead to the rest of the team competing and providing offense alongside him.
The main area that coated the game for the Tigers were missed free throws. The team shot 9/13 on the game and missed key free throws in crunch time. If LSU were to convert on their easy opportunities, it would have more likely been difficult for Alabama to keep afloat with them. The missed free throws certainly didn’t sit well with Coach Wade on the sidelines. This is an issue that needs to be addressed before the NCAA Tournament tips off.
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Despite the gut-wrenching loss in the SEC championship, the LSU Tigers should feel good about themselves. They’re entering the NCAA Tournament with high hopes of becoming a Cinderella story for the ages. The team kicks off it’s March Madness as the number eight seed and will face number nine seed St. Bonaventure in the first round.