Vanderbilt held off LSU 80-72 Saturday afternoon, marking a disappointing start for the Tigers in their Southeastern Conference (SEC) opener. LSU entered the game with optimism, boasting an 11-2 record—its best start in two years—and riding high on the momentum of three consecutive victories. Nevertheless, the Commodores proved to be formidable opponents, underscoring the competitive nature of the SEC.
From the outset, the Tigers faced challenges. While both teams were projected to be bottom dwellers this season, the matchup turned out to be a reflection of the unpredictable SEC. Early on, LSU struggled to manage the basketball, committing 11 turnovers in the first half compared to Vanderbilt's eight. This lack of control resulted in Vanderbilt capitalizing on LSU’s errors, converting them efficiently to lead 34-27 at halftime.
Vanderbilt's players were not merely bystanders; they demonstrated strong performance across the board, with AJ Hoggard leading the way with 17 points. Alongside him, Jaylen Carey and MJ Collins chimed in with 14 points each, showcasing the balanced offensive effort from the Commodores. Their sharp shooting and disciplined play were on stark display, as they received significant boosts from their second-chance opportunities, scoring 18 points off them.
Head coach Matt McMahon acknowledged the impact of Vanderbilt’s aggressive defensive pressure, admitting it had been particularly disruptive for LSU. "The physicality of their players and their defensive pressure really bothered us in the first half," McMahon commented after the game.
Throughout the first half, LSU’s offensive performance suffered, especially as they only managed 19 field goal attempts compared to the Commodores' 34. The Tigers' inefficiency not only stemmed from turnovers but also from struggling to gain control of rebounding. Vanderbilt out-rebounded LSU significantly, leading to numerous second-chance points.
The second half saw the Tigers desperate to reclaim control. Cam Carter, LSU’s leading scorer with 22 points on the day, ignited hope with his aggressive scoring. After pulling the Tigers within five points early, his efforts were mirrored by Jordan Sears, who added 17 points, including 11 during the second half. The duo's performances gave LSU fans brief moments of optimism as they fought to close the gap.
Despite Carter's efforts, who went on to rebound from a challenging first half, shooting 8 of 17 from the field, and 4 of 11 from three-point range, the Tigers could not fully overcome the deficit created earlier. They managed to tie the game at 55, with contributions from Corey Chest, who scored 12 points. But every time LSU looked to seize the moment, the Commodores reclaimed momentum with key plays, particularly from Hoggard and Carey.
Fans could sense the tension as the game remained tight midway through the second half, but Vanderbilt swiftly extinguished any flicker of hope. The Commodores executed well under pressure and delivered several clutch shots—Hoggard, for example, increased Vanderbilt’s lead with timely three-point plays, including one to push the score to 64-57.
Scoring stretches from both sides left the final score at 80-72, with LSU's frustrations mounting as the game progressed. Their woes were palpable, highlighting vulnerabilities as the team heads forward with SEC competition. Defensive and offensive adjustments will be necessary for the Tigers, especially with their next matchup coming against Missouri, another competitive team.
McMahon will need to reassess strategies, perhaps leaning more heavily on the defensive success shown by Robert Miller III and Corey Chest later in the game. The Tigers must seek to improve their interior defense moving forward and find creative solutions to secure rebounds and minimize turnovers, key points Edwards and the Commodores exploited on Saturday.
With four of their next five games on the road, LSU's chances to enact those corrections are limited. Players and coaches alike understand the importance of learning from setbacks. 'We’re in the SEC now, so you got to learn from every game,' emphasized Carter, urging his teammates to grow from the experience.
Despite Saturday's loss, the challenges presented are also opportunities for learning. With determination and adjustments, LSU will look to rebound against Missouri, ready to tackle the growing pressures of SEC basketball and prove their mettle among the conference's heavyweights.