"The opportunity of a lifetime," LSU's KJ Williams said of Oscar Tshiebwe matchup

LSU’s KJ Williams led all scorers Tuesday night in his Tigers’ loss to Kentucky in Rupp Arena. The stretch forward went 8-of-13 from the field and hit four of his six 3-point tries for 23 points, all while battling Oscar Tshiebwe for 36 minutes on Tshiebwe’s home turf.

Tshiebwe was a handful to guard and a bigger handful on the glass with a 19-point, 16-rebound effort against Williams and LSU’s outmanned interior. But for Williams, going at the reigning National Player of the Year in Rupp Arena was an experience he won’t soon forget.

“It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me to go up against a great player like him,” he said after the game. “He knows how to get to his spots very well and knows where the ball goes when it comes off the rim. Credit him, he attacks the rim and tries to get the offensive and defensive rebounds.

“For me, I just tried to go in and play my game—attacking him and trying to box him out so I can give my team the opportunity to crash and get the rebound.”

More than a heavyweight fight versus Tshiebwe, Tuesday’s game was also a return to Kentucky for Williams, who played four seasons at Murray State until transferring to LSU for one last season of eligibility. Williams was the OVC’s Player of the Year in 2021-22 with averages of 18 points and over eight rebounds per game in Murray’s 31-3 season.

Being back in Kentucky state lines with familiar faces behind LSU’s bench, Williams said, “It means a lot for me. I started there my freshman year and spent a tremendous four years there. I had great success and built a lot of relationships off the court. I want to give them thanks for all they’ve done for me and coming out tonight and supporting.”

Matt McMahon back in Kentucky too

Not just a homecoming for Williams, LSU head coach Matt McMahon spent 11 seasons at Murray State, first as a four-year assistant under Steven Prohm, then as the head coach for seven years until he accepted his new gig in Baton Rouge after the Racers’ second-round exit from last season’s NCAA Tournament. When McMahon left, he brought Williams, Justice Hill, and Trae Hannibal with him to help rebuild LSU.

Speaking on his trip back to the Bluegrass and being around old friends, McMahon said, “Great to see. It’s been a while. Of course, it means something to us. I was in Murray, Kentucky for 11 years of my life. My youngest daughter was born there and she was here with me tonight for the game, along with a lot of people who had become family along the way.”