Matt McMahon says Daimion Collins is out for the Texas game

LSU basketball received some poor news ahead of their Saturday afternoon matchup against the Texas Longhorns as Daimion Collins is officially out for the game.

According to college hoops insider Jon Rothstein, LSU head coach Matt McMahon said that Collins’ shoulder issue is still bothering him and the Kentucky transfer will be sidelined for yet another game. Here was the report Rothstein posted to Twitter announcing the news:

“LSU’s Daimion Collins (shoulder) is still not cleared and is OUT for today’s game against Texas, per Matt McMahon. Hopes to return to practice next week. Averages 4.8 PPG and 2.2 RPG.”

At least there is a sliver of positive news in the update as Rothstein notes that Collins is hopeful to get back on the practice court this week following the bout with Texas. However, the Tigers really could have used Collins and his length against a Longhorn front-court that’s likely to have the big size advantage inside.

Collins out, Cook in?

The Collins news is no bueno, but while LSU loses a front-court contributor, they do get a perimeter playmaker into the lineup as Tulane transfer Jalen Cook is expected to be available for the Tigers on Saturday for their game against Texas.

Cook has yet to appear in a game this year as he has been waiting for approval from the NCAA after transferring for the second time. The Louisiana native started his career at LSU, before transferring to Tulane after one season. After playing for the Green Wave for two years, he transferred back to LSU this offseason.

Jalen Cook averaged 20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists for Tulane last year. He should help an LSU squad that enters Saturday’s game with a 6-4 record.

“That’s our expectation is he’ll have two good days of preparation here Thursday and Friday and my understanding is he’s fully cleared and ready to go on Saturday,” LSU head coach Matt McMahon said.

On Wednesday, West Virginia Judge John P. Bailey ruled against the NCAA, stating that the NCAA can’t “make an athlete sit out a year,” and lifted the year-in-residence restriction on multi-time transfers for 14 days in the process. That further cleared the way for Jalen Cook to play against Texas.

McMahon is excited to have him back.

“There was a lot of confusion throughout the afternoon and evening and just wasn’t much clarity there as to the right path,” he said. “But my understanding is he’ll be locked in and ready to go on Saturday. Really happy for him.”