COLUMBIA, S. C. — The LSU Tigers, reeling from a poor offensive performance on Wednesday at Oxford against Ole Miss, will try to tame a rapidly rising South Carolina Gamecock team and close to a sellout crowd in the Colonial Center here Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CST.
The Tigers (12-3, 2-2), are coming off a 53-49 loss at Ole Miss on Wednesday, while the Gamecocks (16-2, 3-1) and 25th-ranked in the AP poll, has had the week off after an 85-64 win over Tennessee last Saturday.
LSU’s defense was again strong against Ole Miss, allowing just the 53 points, out rebounding the Rebels and holding them in the 30s from the field.
“You would think when you hold a team to what we held Ole Miss to (Wednesday) night, you would think you would win the game,” said LSU Coach John Brady. “Even on the road. But that was not the case. It was very disappointing for us offensively. Until we find a way to play consistently from the perimeter, we are going to struggle.”
The Tigers did have a spirited practice on Thursday in Baton Rouge and appeared ready to put the game out of their mind and begin work on ways to tame the Gamecocks.
“We have to be able to make some shots from the outside and find a way to get some easy baskets,” Brady said. “My team right now is just playing the game. They don’t know how to play to win yet. I’m very gun-shy with our perimeter right now.”
Jaime Lloreda was the only double figure scorer against Ole Miss with 14 points, while Lloreda, Brandon Bass and Regis Koundjia each grabbed nine boards.
The Gamecocks are led by Carlos Powell, averaging 14.2 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game, Karence Kinsey (10.9) and Josh Gonner (10.8) also average in double figures for the Gamecocks, who have league wins over Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee with a loss to Florida.
Coach Dave Odom doesn’t let LSU’s loss at Ole Miss factor into his preparation. “LSU is a good team,” Odom said. “They handled us in the post last season. They lost a road game (Wednesday) night — so what? A lot of people lose road games in this league. But they will go back to Baton Rouge, work hard the next two days and be ready to play when they come here on Saturday. They have some great players.”
There is no television for the game, but the radio broadcast in Louisiana can be heard on the LSU Sports Network (Eagle 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge) and on the Internet at www.LSUsports.net.
The Tigers return home Wednesday night to the Maravich Assembly Center to take on Georgia at 7 p.m.