Matt McMahon, LSU MBB lose starting wing before season
LSU junior Tyrell Ward will be stepping away from the men’s basketball program, the team announced 10 minutes before the first game of the season. Ward had been held out of the exhibition last week and Matt McMahon did not give a reason as to why in the days leading up to Wednesday, but released the news before tipoff.
“Tyrell Ward and I have decided that he will be stepping away from the program to focus on his mental health. I do not anticipate him returning to competition this season. We are very appreciative of his contributions to our program and we will be supporting him every step of the way moving forward.”
Ward averaged 9.1 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the field, but was especially dangerous from behind the arc, shooting 41.3 percent form3-point range last season while averaging 22 minutes per game. For a stretch, he was the best shooter in the SEC statistically and had the most memorable moment of the season last year, scoring a putback bucket at the buzzer to beat Kentucky in the PMAC.
Without him, LSU is down to 11 scholarship players and has limited depth on the wing. Still, there’s an expectation the Tigers have enough scoring with the transfer additions Jordan Sears and Cam Carter, while also returning playmakers Jalen Reed, Mike Williams, and Daimion Collins. The Tigers showed in the exhibition win that there’s enough talent to continue to compete in the SEC.
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In LSU’s exhibition contest, Carter scored 21 points with five treys, while Sears had 16 points and four treys and Bailey 10 points, four assists and no turnovers. Jalen Reed had 10 points and Robert Miller nine rebounds in the game.
“I thought the exhibition game was a good start. I like the unselfishness that we played with on the offensive side of the ball,” said Coach McMahon. “I though in the first half of the game we were really disruptive defensively, as far as forcing turnovers and forcing tough contested shots. So (we) want to see more of the same there. I think a big question mark for me as I look to the game is going to be the rebounding. I think UL-Monroe has got great size … They’re physical at the four position, you know, really, also the guards, the rebound well at the guard position. So I think the glass will be an area I’m paying very close attention to (Wednesday).”
LSU will also be at home on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Alabama State. Fans can use their football ticket from the LSU-Alabama football game to get free admission for that game.
Stay tuned to The Bengal Tiger for the latest updates and news on the basketball programs.
