The Tigers thrilling victory over Oklahoma State in New Orleans may only be the start of something great
By Fred J. Demarest
Gameday Editor
It was the final weekend in February last season and the Tigers were preparing for a game in Oxford against Ole Miss when word arrived that LSU’s one-year postseason ban was lifted and the Tigers were eligible to go to the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
On March 4 the Tigers dropped an opening round 97-75 decision to an overpowering Florida team that went on to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Who could have possibly imagined that it would be the Tigers’ final loss of the 20th century?
Behind an athletic frontcourt and a rapidly emerging young backcourt, this Tiger team is playing the kind of basketball that hasn’t been seen in Baton Rouge in many years. In fact, with a 12-0 start, this Tiger team became only the fifth squad in school history to win as many games out of the gate and this team is threatening the 14-0 mark posted by the 1985-86 club.
How far have the Tigers come?
Look no further than the Tigers’ thrilling 63-53 victory over then-No. 11 Oklahoma State in New Orleans for the answer. While on paper it is only one victory, and in the long haul it will only be significant if the Tigers can avoid a letdown, it was still the kind of victory that has seemingly eluded this program for the past six years.
Putting behind them heartbreaking losses like Kentucky two years ago and Auburn a year ago, the Tigers managed to close a game out with solid defense and timely scoring. When Oklahoma State cut what had been a 12-point Tiger lead down to a single point with just under 11 minutes left in the second half, the Tigers responded with a poise and execution and found a way to stop the bleeding when in previous years that hadn’t been able to.
Stromile Swift helped the Tigers to a nine-point halftime advantage. When Oklahoma State began to double and even triple-up Swift, Lamont Roland delivered a dagger to their hearts with his perimeter play in a breakthrough performance. Torris Bright played all 40 minutes and time and time again his ability to break down the Cowboys’ defense led to open shots.
The Tigers didn’t play perfect but they found a way to win. Bottom line. Was the victory over Oklahoma State a breakthrough? Only time will tell. But it was a starting point and a shot in the arm for this program.
This Tiger team is not nearly as deep as many of the opponents they are about to face. They beat Oklahoma State using only seven players. But it has become quite obvious that LSU head coach John Brady has assembled as talented a starting five as there is in the SEC.
Obviously Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky are the elite of the SEC right now. But is LSU really that far off? Picked to finish fifth or sixth in the SEC West in most preseason poll, it is hard to argue that with the exception of Auburn, the Tigers have clearly been the most impressive team in the West.
The margin for error is very low for the Tigers. But they have as good a starting frontcourt as anyone in the SEC. If Jabari Smith can regain his scoring touch of earlier in the season it will relieve some of the double-teams off of Swift. Brian Beshara is a capable small forward who can hit the three, take it to the hole and hit his free throws.
The backcourt of Bright and Roland is breaking out. Bright, a true freshman, has performed well beyond his years through the early season and has broken down opposing defenses, demonstrated an ability to hit the three or drive it to the basket and has played solid defense.
Roland showcased the tremendous shooting ability that made him the Junior College Player of the Year last year with his 22-point performance on 8-of-11 shooting against Oklahoma State. And even in the games when his shot hasn’t been there, his defense has been tremendous.
Everyone knows the Tigers have a great starting five. The key to their long-term success may rest in their bench, however. Forward/guard Jermaine Williams is out with a knee injury and may miss both the upcoming Tennessee and Florida games.
The Tigers will need more performances like they got from Collis Temple III against Oklahoma State, where he got in 18 minutes and forced the Cowboys to come out an defend him on the perimeter by quickly hitting a three. Ronald Dupree gave the Tigers 10 solid minutes, six points and five rebounds.
Are the Tigers ready to make some serious noise? We’ll know the answer soon. What is obvious as this SEC season approaches, however, is that for this first time in a long time the Tigers can truly enter any conference game with the belief that they have a strong chance to win. And while that may not be enough to carry them to the top of the SEC right now, it’s a pretty good place to start.