Modern history has been quite uneven for LSU basketball, a program routinely outshined by football and even women’s basketball in recent years. Former head coach Will Wade built some successful teams before his firing in 2022, but also brought scandal and violations to Baton Rouge that gave current coach Matt McMahon quite the handful at the beginning of his career. Regardless, can LSU really afford to continue at their current pace?
New: LSU is backing Matt McMahon with a focus on building basketball's NIL budget, sources tell me.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) February 17, 2025
LSU + South Carolina had the least NIL money in the offseason. Both are at the bottom of the SEC standings.
My story on LSU's approach + what's next:➡️ https://t.co/KLVJVBwauP pic.twitter.com/NUMrkCMrSp
McMahon was brought into the program after spending seven years as head coach at Murray State. Most notably during his run in the OVC was his work with Ja Morant, the future lottery pick who was a completely unheralded prospect turned superstar from McMahon’s recruiting and coaching. In fact, McMahon won a pair of NCAA Tournament games and averaged 22 wins per season with the Racers.
He was a hot name when LSU brought him to campus in 2022, though his first three seasons haven’t met expectations. Inheriting those violations from Wade’s tenure, McMahon’s team finished at the bottom of the league standings in his first season before clawing out an NIT bid last year with a 17-16 mark. Definite progress was shown in that second season, but year three has been a disappointment.
Matt McMahon quickly gets a vote of confidence and needed NIL funds.
— James Fletcher III (@jdfletch3) February 17, 2025
He is a high-quality coach who might finally get the resources to compete on a nightly basis in the SEC. https://t.co/BXxxSOp8nQ
After an impressive 11-2 run in nonconference play, LSU has become an afterthought in a very talented SEC this season. The Tigers sat 1-10 in the league before this past weekend’s win at Oklahoma, just their second road win of the season. This team is in the bottom 50 in the nation in 3-point shooting and hasn’t had answers for the strong teams in this conference.
While many other programs in the SEC have risen in recent years, LSU has been flailing. The world of the Transfer Portal and NIL creates opportunities for teams like LSU, but can also create impatience. These two dreadful showings in league play undoubtedly put the pressure on McMahon and his staff, but that patience hasn’t worn out yet.
Matt McMahon reacts to report that #LSU will back him and expand NIL budget: I've always been appreciative of the support we've had here. I'm excited about our class coming in and realize how important the transfer portal is now.
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) February 17, 2025
LSU recently indicated that they would bring McMahon back for his fourth season and pledge even more of an investment into NIL. There’s no guarantee that a larger NIL budget will produce results, as this team even won at a Kansas State team with a boosted NIL earlier this season. However, it does give McMahon at least one more chance to right the ship in Baton Rouge.
Is this the right decision for this program? LSU fans are no doubt frustrated by these recent failings, especially when Wade’s teams were at least winning games, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen. LSU has to ensure that they have the right person helming this program and it’s fair to question if McMahon is the man, but giving him a fourth chance seems like the right call.
Do you agree with the potential for a fourth year for this coaching staff? Can this team find a way to salvage something from the final three weeks of this season?