Matt McMahon discusses play from Adam Miller, Derek Fountain

The LSU basketball team has had a rough go of it this season, currently on an 11-game losing streak and really struggling under first-year coach Matt McMahon. But Adam Miller and Derek Fountain have given some reason for optimism in recent weeks.

Bot have come on strong in the last four games.

Miller averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.8 assists per game in that span. Fountain, meanwhile, has averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

McMahon spoke glowingly of both players.

“I mean Miller, what a talent. He’s so skilled,” McMahon said. “Can beat you from three, has the mid-range game, really good passer.”

The first-year coach’s praise of Fountain was even more effusive. Fountain is a 6-foot-10 junior and he’s beginning to show that he can do a little of everything.

“He embodies everything I want to build this program on: relentless effort, energy, he’s all about the team,” McMahon said. “He’s really stepped forward into a leadership role, because people respect hard work, people respect toughness and people respect people who put the team above themselves. And he checks all those boxes. So we need to keep building around that and make that more contagious throughout the entire program and organization moving forward.”

Adam Miller, Derek Fountain not fond of losing

It has not been a fun few weeks for Fountain or the LSU basketball team. The Tigers have lost 11 straight games, going through the entire month of January without claiming a victory.

One of the latest setbacks among the group came this past weekend against Alabama. The Crimson Tide defeated LSU, 79-69, in Baton Rouge, La.

Fountain was asked after the game about how the team has been trying to keep morale up despite going through such a downturn.

“None of us like losing so somebody has to step up and let the team know, it just life,” Fountain said. “You got through adversity in many ways. Sometimes it look real bad. Sometimes it look slight. But no matter what, I just tell them stay with it. When that next win come around, it’s gonna feel good. No need to lay down and quit, just keep going.”