It hasn't taken long for Will Wade to generate excitement in Baton Rouge again. LSU has opened the college basketball season with three consecutive victories by at least 40 points, accomplishing a feat that had never previously occurred in program history. Saturday's meeting with 14th-ranked Gonzaga in Spokane will provide the first significant indication of how much those results reveal about the Tigers' potential.
Wade returned to LSU in March following a season at NC State that included an NCAA Tournament appearance. His second tenure has started with an entirely different roster from the one that struggled through SEC competition last season, and the early results have been impressive. LSU's 90-50 victory over Louisiana Tech on Monday provided another example of the offensive efficiency and defensive activity that have defined the opening stretch.
Donovan Dent gives LSU an established offensive organizer
The Tigers' roster includes several experienced players, but Donovan Dent's ability to organize the offense could become particularly important against stronger competition. Dent is averaging 8.3 assists through three games and has also demonstrated his ability to create additional possessions defensively. He recorded five assists and five steals against Louisiana Tech while contributing 12 points.
Michael Ružić leads LSU in scoring at 15.7 points per game and has converted more than three-quarters of his field-goal attempts. Saliou Niang has provided valuable rebounding production, while Abdi Bashir Jr. gives Wade another perimeter scoring option. The combination of experienced guards and productive frontcourt players makes LSU an intriguing team beyond its impressive early winning margins.
Gonzaga has developed a habit of defeating SEC opponents
The Bulldogs enter Saturday with a 2-0 record after defeating Purdue and New Mexico State. Mark Few's program has won seven of its last nine games against current SEC members, including convincing victories over Kentucky and Alabama last season. Gonzaga has also won seven consecutive games at Spokane's Numerica Veterans Arena, where Saturday's contest will take place.
Sophomore Davis Fogle has emerged as an important contributor, scoring 22 points in each of Gonzaga's opening victories. The Bulldogs also received 20 points from Braden Huff and 10 assists from Xaivian Lee during their 109-68 victory over New Mexico State. LSU's defense will encounter considerably more offensive versatility than it has faced through its first three games.
Saturday offers an opportunity to change national expectations
LSU's opening victories have provided evidence that Wade has assembled a competitive roster, but defeating Gonzaga would carry significantly more weight nationally. The Tigers must demonstrate that their defensive pressure and offensive efficiency can remain effective against an experienced program accustomed to competing on the biggest stages.
Saturday marks the first meeting between LSU and Gonzaga, with tipoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Wade has already produced a historic opening stretch in his return to Baton Rouge. A victory in Spokane would give college basketball another reason to pay close attention to what he is building.
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