TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The LSU Tigers didn’t get a lot of opportunity to celebrate the 66-49 win Saturday over Connecticut, but there was a good reason the Tigers were quickly looking ahead after the game.
The Tigers are quickly back in action, opening Southeastern Conference play here Tuesday night at 8 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. LSU is 11-3 overall and playing its conference opener, while Alabama (13-2) has already lost its conference opener on the roads at Arkansas, 88-61 on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and the radio broadcast will be available on the LSU Sports Radio Network and on the web in the “Geaux Zone” at www.lsusports.net.
The Tigers practiced Monday in Baton Rouge before flying here in the afternoon. Glen Davis, recovering from the normal bumps and bruises associated with Saturday’s game but now complicated by the soreness from a late Saturday/early Sunday morning automobile accident, went through the practice session without any apparent difficulties.
“We were very afraid that he had broken some ribs or had some serious damage, and we’re very fortunate that he wasn’t hurt too badly. He’s a little sore, but other than that, he should be fine to play, and we expect him to play against Alabama,” said LSU Coach John Brady.
The Tigers are opening conference play for the eighth time in John Brady‘s 10 years and may not have found a worse time to come to Coleman Coliseum as the Tide tries to rebound from Saturday’s loss in Fayetteville.
“That game doesn’t have much bearing on our preparations for this game,” said Brady. “Not to take anything away from Arkansas, but I know that Alabama is a much better team than what they showed the other night. They’re a very talented and very well coached team. Arkansas certainly didn’t do us any favors, since we have to face them now. I’m sure they’ve made some adjustments, and we’ve just got to do what we can to get ready for this game.”
The Tigers won six of eight conference games a year ago and 10 in the last two years, second only to Kentucky over the last two seasons in league road games. Overall in three seasons and the opening game for some teams this past weekend, LSU leads all teams with 34 league victories (8 in 2004, 12 in 2005, 14 in 2006) in that period ahead of Florida’s 32 wins and Alabama’s 30.
LSU will be looking to continue the defensive effort that held Connecticut to its lowest point total since 1992 and has forced LSU’s opponents in the last four games to 52 turnovers. Connecticut had just four assists and 19 turnovers on Saturday.