LSU head coach Will Wade updates status of Xavier Pinson ahead of crucial TCU matchup

Xavier Pinson is a game-time decision against TCU ahead of the Tigers’ Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup but should be available on a minutes restriction, per Jon Rothstein’s report Saturday morning.

Pinson hasn’t seen the court since LSU’s 79-67 victory over Tennessee in Baton Rouge on Jan. 8 when he came down with a knee injury. The Chicago native averages 10.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Tigers this season.

Originally, LSU head coach Will Wade stated that Pinson avoided any damage to his ACL or MCL. Instead, the injury “appears to be just a knee sprain” and Pinson could return anywhere from a few days to a week. He left the contest against Tennessee with nine points (3-6 FG) and seven assists.

Thanks to the injury, Pinson has missed five consecutive games while LSU has gone 2-3 over that period, including a rematch against the Volunteers. Despite his production being sorely missed, Pinson averages three turnovers per game, a team high.

Pinson spent three seasons with Missouri, making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament this past season. He took over as the full-time starter at point guard in 2019-20, averaging 13.6 points and 2.9 assists before making the move to Baton Rouge.

Tari Eason (cramps) and Darius Days (ankle) are both available for today’s game against and will start, per Wade. Eason and Days are LSU’s two top scorers with 15.9 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Days is also LSU’s leading rebounder hauling in 7.3 per outing.

TCU (13-4) is coming off one of their worst losses of the season 73-50 to Texas. The Horned Frogs had entered Big 12 conference play 10-1, but have split their first six games, currently sitting at 3-3 right in the middle of the standings.

Mike Miles is their leading scorer at 15.4 points per game and is also one of two TCU players that average at least four assists per game. His teammate Damion Baugh averages 4.1 assists (team high) and 1.6 steals (team high) per game as well. No matter the outcome, it’ll be a quick turnaround for TCU as they fave a tough Oklahoma team Monday night on ESPN2.

No. 19 LSU is slated to tip their game against TCU off at noon ET on the road and will be aired live on ESPN2.