Analyzing LSU Basketball non-conference schedule and their pending off-court troubles
LSU 2021 non-conference schedule
The Tigers released its non-conference schedule on Friday. LSU will play eight of its 14 non-league games at the Maravich Center, starting with five contests during a 14-day period to open the season. The Tigers could potentially play five teams that advanced to post-season play a season ago and seven teams that won at least 17 games on their 2020-21 season schedule.
LSU is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance, but the Tigers must replace their top three scorers. However, the Tigers have brought in transfers Xavier Pinson (Missouri), Adam Miller (Illinois), and Tari Eason (Cincinnati). Wade also signed a trio of bigs from the class of 2021, led by 5-star center Efton Reid and 6-5 shooting guard Brandon Murray.
Home games
Nov. 9 ULM
The Warhawks finished last season with a 7-19 overall record for their second consecutive losing season. ULM does return its top-two scorers, Russell Harrison and Koreem Ozier, from last year’s quad that averaged 64.4 points a game and surrendered 68.9. They closed the season ranked 296th by KenPom and finished with an RPI of 303 and a NET of 292.
Nov. 12 Texas State
The Bobcats went 18-7 in 2020-21, marking its third straight year of winning at least that many games and the fourth time in the past five seasons. Texas St. returns their top three players from a year ago, and the Cats brought in New Mexico transfer Drue Drinnon. The Bobcats were 228th in offensive efficiency and 141 in defensive efficiency, according to Ken Pom. They also finished with a NET rating of 157 and an RPI of 131.
Nov. 15 Liberty
The Flames have won at least 20 games in each of the past five years and have reached the NCAA Tournament twice. They are 125-76 over this period. Liberty returns five of their top six players, including leading scorer Darius McGhee, from last year’s team that posted a 23-6 record. The Flames were 58th in offensive efficiency and 153rd in defensive efficiency while also registering a NET of 86 and an RPI of 121.
Nov. 18 McNeese State
The Cowboys went 10-14 last season, marking its ninth straight losing campaign. McNeese St. was one of the worst defensive teams in the nation, ranking 344th in defensive efficiency, the ‘Boys were 283 in offensive efficiency. They will also not have any of their top-4 performers from a year ago.
Nov. 22 Belmont
The Bruins have been one of the top mid-major programs since the mid-2000s. Belmont, which went 26-4 in 2020-21, has won 20+ games for the past decade and has posted at least 19 wins for 15 straight years. The Bruins return their top-6 players — with each player averaging at least 9.0 points a game — from a year ago, led by 6-11 center Nick Muszynski. They ranked 64th in offensive efficiency and 170th in defensive efficiency.
Dec. 1 Ohio
The Bobcats (17-12) are coming off their first NCAA appearance since 2013-14. Ohio won’t return 2021 second-round draft pick, Jason Preston, from a year ago, but they do get four of their other players that averaged double-figures.
Dec. 14 Northwestern State
This game is part of the Holiday Hoopsgiving Classic that the Tigers will host. The Demons, 11-18, have not posted a winning record since 2014-15, although they are 20-16 over the last two years in Southland Conference play over the last two seasons. They also lost their top two players from a year ago.
Dec. 22 Lipscomb
The Bisons have won at least 15 games in each of the last five campaigns. They return two of three players that averaged double-figures a season ago.