BATON ROUGE – The LSU men’s basketball team, off a 65 percent shooting half against McNeese State, plays its final two home games before the final exam period when it hosts Massachusetts Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Tickets for the game will be available during the day at the LSU Athletics Ticket Office and at LSUtix.net. The box office at the Maravich Center upper concourse will open at 4:30 p.m.
The game will be the first LSU men’s basketball game broadcast nationally on the over-the-air SEC Network and the radio broadcast will be available in the Geaux Zone at LSUsports.net and the following affiliates:
Baton Rouge, WDGL (98.1 FM); Alexandria, KSYL (970 AM); Bogalusa, WBOX (92.9 FM); Ferriday, KFNV (107.1 FM); Houma, KJIN (1490 AM); Jena, KJNA (102.7 FM); Lafayette/Opelousas, KLWB (103.7 FM); KXZZ, Lake Charles (1580 AM); Leesville, KJAE (93.5 FM); Monroe, KMLB (540 AM); Morgan City , KFRA (1390 AM); Natchitoches, KWLV (107.1 FM); New Orleans, WWL (870 AM, 105.3 AM); Ruston KRUS (1490 AM); Shreveport, KWKH (1130 AM); Tallulah, KTJZ (97.5 FM); Tylertown, Mississippi, WCFG (107.3 FM); Ville Platte, KVPI (1050 AM).
LSU is 4-2 on the season and UMass comes in at 5-2. LSU was an 83-72 winner over McNeese on Saturday while the Minutemen fell at Harvard, 75-73.
Against McNeese, the Tigers were able to build an early lead, but allowed the Cowboys back into the game in the final two minutes of the first half to go to the dressing room tied at 39. But after taking a brief lead, LSU did a tremendous job of pounding the ball inside the paint and made 19-of-29 field goal attempts to shoot 65.5 percent. It was the second straight LSU win that the Tigers shot 60 percent or more in the second 20 minutes.
The pounding the inside resulted in a large points in the paint result in the second half in LSU’s last two wins, getting 34 points in the paint in the Weber State win (52 for the game) and 32 against McNeese State (48 total).
Four players from each team average in double figures. For LSU: Jordan Mickey, who is probable to be back in the starting lineup after being held out of the McNeese game, is averaging a double double of 17.8 points per game and 10.0 rebounds. Jarell Martin is averaging 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds after a 26-point, 10-rebound effort against McNeese, while Keith Hornsby is averaging 12.3 points per game and Josh Gray is at 10.7 points a contest.
Cady Lalanne leads the Minutemen with a double double average as well with 14.9 points per game and a 10.1 rebound average, while Derrick Gordon is at 13.6 points per game and Maxie Esho is at 13.1 points and Trey Davis averages 11.3 markers.
UMass has wins over Siena (95-87), Boston College (71-62), Manhattan in OT (77-68), Florida State (75-69) and Northeastern (79-54).
The teams met for the first time a year ago in the ESPN Tip Off Marathon at Amherst with UMass scoring a 92-90 victory.
Following this, LSU will conclude its first section of the season on Thursday night at 6 p.m. CT when the Tigers travel to Morgantown to meet the University of West Virginia in an SEC/Big 12 Challenge game. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
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Coach Johnny Jones met with the media on Monday and here are some of his comments:
LSU Men’s Basketball Quotes
Media Session – December 1, 2014
HEAD COACH JOHNNY JONES
Opening Statement …
“We’re looking forward to a great week of basketball. We knew after looking at our schedule this year that this week would be a great test for us—one, UMass on Tuesday and then a Top-20 team, the 16th ranked team in the country in West Virginia on the road, will be a great test for us in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge. We’re certainly looking forward to both of the games. We’re coming off of a weekend without Jordan Mickey. We’re glad to have him back. He will be back in uniform and ready to play on Tuesday. We’re looking forward to the growth of this basketball team. We’re hopeful that we’re (ready to play) at a fast pace on Tuesday against a team that we played last year at their place and had a two-point setback. We look forward to a great challenge against a (UMass) team who has four guys averaging double figure scoring. They have a really good post player in the lane. Their guards have done a tremendous job on the perimeter of making baskets and getting up the floor in and play a fast-paced basketball game. It’s one of the races we’re looking forward to getting in with these guys.”
On the help that the bench players have provided…
“They’ve (the bench) been thrust into certain roles — (Brian) Bridgewater the other night because of Jordan Mickey not being available, I thought he did a great job. Of the 22 minutes that he played, I thought he maximized the time that he had on the floor. I thought he played well on both ends. Because of that, we look forward to him being able to contribute when Jordan (Mickey)’s healthy to give those other guys, hopefully, the rest that they need that we can get into our bench. I think John Odo has done a good job in the last couple of starts that he’s had of battling inside against their post men, rebounding the ball and being a defensive presence in the lane. We need both of those things to happen for those guys to continue to compete at a certain level for us to really have the success that we’re trying to have this year.”
On Tim Quarterman‘s role whether it’s starting or coming off the bench…
“I think it’s ideal for us. He brings so much because of the versatility that he has on the floor, playing the one, two and the three positions for us. I think he gives us a great deal of energy off of the bench which is really needed. He changes the complexion of the game when he comes in, and we certainly would have it that way than having a drop off if he wasn’t starting. I think the position he’s played right now with the minutes that he’s given us and the mentality that he has when he comes into the game has been really good for us and has given us a lift.”
On Jarell Martin‘s motivation after he got injured during last year’s game at UMass…
“I think Jarell (Martin) has done a great job all year long in preparation and getting ready for games. I think he’s really got off to a great start on the year. He’s had some really good moments for us. The other night playing primarily inside, I thought he came up big in numbers – rebounds-wise and scoring-wise with his field goal percentage as well. He ended up taking one three (point shot). I think he was 9-15 from the field. It was a good night for him. We just need more of that from him in the way that he’s able to attack the basket and get to the free throw line.”
On having two point guards on the floor at the same time…
“It helps when you have two guards out there who are good decision makers, ball handlers and passers especially out there on the fast break. Any one of those guys can get the ball up the floor. There are fewer turnovers when you’re playing the right way. When you have those two guys, I think we’re more effective on the floor. We do a much better job of one, taking care of the basketball, and make better decisions on the offensive end of the floor.”
On Jordan Mickey‘s impact on the team…
“The impact Jordan made on the team last year when Johnny O’Bryant III was available, I think that now in this role, people have tried to double team or put a lot of emphasis defensively on him has made it different. It’s important when Jordan’s out there on the floor that on both ends, offensively and defensively; he has to really make a solid, sound impact for us to be successful over the long haul. I think with Jarell Martin and him, their presence and what they offer to this basketball team, it’s important that both of those guys are available for us.”
On Josh Gray‘s role…
“I think as time progresses, opportunities will present themselves to what Josh will and won’t do. If it presents itself and things open up because people will lock down in trying to stop Jordan (Mickey) and Jarell (Martin) or someone else, opportunities will open up. If they are designed to make sure that they keep him out of the lane, from penetrating and forcing him to pitch it – that will dictate that he may have to take fewer shots and get other people more involved. The game will dictate that. It’s just a matter of as the season progresses, Josh (Gray) really comprehending and getting that balance of what really needs to be done out there on the floor. It’s not easy because it’s a situation that he’s probably never been in because he hadn’t had the type of talent that he has around him now. That’s when you talk about the balance and the chemistry of your team. That’s what we’re really building on right now.”
On the similarities between LSU and UMass …
“Both teams like to get out there and run quick. I think when the opportunity presents itself, both teams will take advantage of it. They’ll get the ball up the floor and try to score quickly before the defense is set. Both teams will also try and press at times so I see a lot of similarities.”