LSU will try to move to 4-0 on the season when it hosts in-state foe Louisiana Tech on Friday night.
The Tigers captured an 85-76 win over Memphis in their most recent outing, which saw five LSU players score in double figures.
As for Louisiana Tech, it already has a road victory at Wichita State in jumping out to a 3-0 start.
Let’s run through what to watch for in this matchup.
Game Details
- Louisiana Tech (3-0) at No. 22 LSU (3-0)
- Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center – Baton Rouge, LA
- Game Date: Nov. 16
- Game Time: 8 p.m. EST
- Watch: SEC Network+
Players to Watch
Tremont Waters (LSU)
One of the most impressive things about this LSU team is its ability to win games without necessarily needing Waters to put up a lot of points.
The 5-11 sophomore has hit double-digits in scoring just once this season, but he’s made up for it by dishing out at least eight assists in each of the past two games.
There’s no doubt that Waters can be a prolific scorer, and now with so many excellent offensive talents around him, he’s able to showcase his entire skill set as both a passer and scorer.
Emmitt Williams (LSU)
It’s been easy to focus on fellow freshman Naz Reid early on in this season, but Williams has also had a nice start to his college career.
He’s posted two double-doubles through three games and stepped up big with 11 points and 10 boards in the victory over Memphis.
This entire freshman class gives Wade and his staff a variety of options, and Williams will continue to be an important part of LSU’s success this season.
Amorie Archibald (Louisiana Tech)
The 6-3 sophomore has really developed as a player after stepping into a larger role than expected during the ’17-18 season.
Archibald was a regular starter down the stretch after the injury to DeQuan Bracey, and it appears that he is picking up right where he left off by averaging 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists through three games.
It’s also worth noting that Archibald is the Bulldogs’ leading 3-point shooter right now in making 5 of 12 attempts this season (41.7 percent).
Key Stats
While it’s tough to gain much from a three-game sample size, there are a few trends that Louisiana Tech will need to improve on to have a shot at victory.
The Bulldogs have made just 18 of 65 3-point attempts thus far (27.7 percent) and have committed at least 17 turnovers in the two games against Division I competition.
If we go back to last season, something else Eric Konkol’s group struggled with was allowing opponents to shoot a high percentage from beyond the arc, and LSU could take advantage of that in this game.
The Tigers are 15th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and are shooting 82.1 percent from the free-throw line and 61.8 percent from 2-point range.
Both teams have also been effective on the offensive glass, with LSU ranking seventh nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and LA Tech sitting at 38th.
Game Outlook
- Spread: LSU -12
- Over/Under: 155.5
- KenPom Projection: LSU, 81 percent chance to win
- ESPN BPI Projection: LSU, 78.5 percent chance to win
LSU has found a way to win close games in the previous two contests against UNC Greensboro and Memphis, and I’d be surprised if this isn’t a similar type of game.
Konkol has done a good job with this Louisiana Tech group, and while Wichita State is rebuilding its roster, that’s still not an easy place to win.
So, the Bulldogs will head into Baton Rouge with plenty of confidence and should attack the rim to try to keep finding extra opportunities at the foul line.
Louisiana Tech ranks 12th nationally with 88 free-throw attempts through three games, and that type of aggressiveness is a recipe for success in this matchup.
But LSU’s overall versatility is hard to ignore, and the Tigers are getting production from all over the place.
It should be another tight game throughout for Wade’s team, but they should use their balance to find another win.
Season Prediction Record (straight up): 28-5
Game Prediction: LSU 81, Louisiana Tech 71
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