Matt McMahon details LSU's player-only meeting amid recent struggles

LSU has run into some struggles as SEC play has gotten underway. Now 12-5 on the season and just 1-4 in SEC play, head coach Matt McMahon and the Tigers are looking for answers. The most recent place they’ve looked for those answers was in a players-only meeting.

While speaking to the media ahead of LSU’s game against Auburn, McMahon detailed that meeting and what LSU needs to do.

“I think some conversations were had that needed to be had, between players, teammates,” Matt McMahon said. “But, as I said in the beginning, I just think it’s life. We got to have some perspective here. We got punched in the mouth. Got absolutely dominated in the game.”

The Tigers have lost their last four games against Kentucky, Texas A&M, Florida, and Alabama. In that loss to Alabama, they lost by a score of 106-66. The Tigers’ last win was December 28, 2022, against an Arkansas team dealing with its own issues in SEC play.

“Obviously, there’s disappointment there but there’s a lot of basketball left this season, and I promise you the two teams coming in here this weekend aren’t gonna feel sorry for us,” McMahon continued. “So, it’s the response. Do we come together as a team? Do we focus on those areas of improvement and get better there? And, do we compete at the absolute highest level possible and give ourselves an opportunity to be in the games?”

LSU is playing Auburn on Wednesday night. Then, on Saturday, LSU is going to have a difficult game against Tennessee, one of the SEC’s best teams.

“So, I think the players’ response yesterday in practice was really good. I expect another good one today. Especially in this league, any league, every game stands on its own. Bottom line, tomorrow night whichever team plays best for those 40 minutes will be the victor in the end,” McMahon continued.

“It doesn’t matter what happened last week or two weeks ago, and so our players need to find a way to move forward in that regard, have another good day of practice today, and get better, and give ourselves a chance to win tomorrow night on our home court in front of a great crowd.

Matt McMahon says Mwani Wilkinson’s injury is season-ending

The blows have been coming from all angles for LSU. Now, as confirmed by Matt McMahon, forward Mwani Wilkinson is out for the season with his shoulder injury.

“Yes, Mwani will definitely be out for the remainder of the year. Heartbroken for him. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for him as a teammate, as a leader, really as a warrior,” McMahon said.

“He was a guy who wanted to be at LSU through some challenging circumstances in the spring. I thought he had a terrific summer. Great fall. There was a time during the preseason where he injured his shooting shoulder. Wanted to battle through and I thought really competed to do so. It’s just reached a point where it’s counterproductive and it was time for him to go ahead and have the season-ending surgery and work toward getting back to 100%.”