Matt McMahon previews LSU's rematch with Texas A&M

On Saturday evening, LSU faces Texas A&M for the second time in five games, looking to improve to 4-1 in SEC play. The Tigers are coming off of a home win against Ole Miss earlier in the week and now return to the PMAC to face an Aggies team hungry for a win after a close loss to Arkansas.

LSU head coach Matt McMahon took the podium on Friday afternoon to preview the game, discuss the strengths of his team, and what’s ahead on Saturday.

Opening statement

“Excited about this opportunity tomorrow against a really good Texas A&M team. Quick turnaround after playing them two weeks ago. They’re the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the country, they do a great job taking care of the ball and getting to the free throw line. Defensively, they’re fantastic at disguising their coverages and making it difficult to score on that end. Expect a great crowd, great energy, and hopefully we can keep improving and build on the great win we had over Ole Miss.”

On playing A&M again so soon…

“At the end of the day, whatever happened in the first matchup, you learn from it, I’m sure they would say the same thing, but it comes down to which team plays the best tomorrow. We’ve each only played three games since. Their game against Kentucky was high level college basketball and it was awesome to watch, so we know the challenges they present. They rebound at an elite level with their physicality, we’ll have to be locked in and ready to compete on the glass.”

On LSU’s backcourt getting more comfortable…

“I like the way our backcourt has been playing. They’re playing well together. Our perimeter defense was good against Ole Miss’ talented guards. Then, we know Radford and Taylor is as good of a backcourt that there is in the country, so that will be important. The story is the same for us, just taking care of the basketball has allowed us to be efficient on offense. Then, defensively, we’ve sent our opponents to the free throw line way too much. That’s one of the many strengths of A&M, so we’ll have to do a much better job there. Overall, pleased with how our guards have played together.”

On the activity level of LSU’s frontcourt vs. Ole Miss…

“There was a lot I liked there. You look at Jalen Reed’s defensive performance. Coming into that game, Brakefield was averaging 20 a game in the last six games, and we held him to 1-of-8 from the floor. Baker and Dean both had eight rebounds, then Reed and Jordan Wright had seven rebounds each, so we’ll need a huge effort from them again on the glass tomorrow. It was a big key we were able to get both Cisse and Sharp out of the game and that opened the floor up for us to be more effective in the second half and that was a credit to our frontcourt.”

On staying consistent on offense vs. A&M…

“Well, they’ll have a say in that as well, they’re fantastic defensively. The biggest difference is we finished plays at the rim in the second half last time and did a better job taking care of the basketball. Their rim protection is really good, but I think we had 11 layups or dunks in the second half and that helped us open up a lead in the second half.”

Who’s stood out with their growth?

“I think you have to start with Jordan Wright, with his efficiency over the last month. He just played a game with a statline that hadn’t happened here in almost two decades. He’s been terrific, but it’s been a great team effort. We still have a long ways to go, but the foundation of it has to be how hard we play, how we compete and how we play together, and I think we’ve gotten so much better in those three areas and they need to continue to improve, especially as you look at the opponent tomorrow.”

On defending Wade Taylor…

“I don’t have the answer. He’s shooting well from three. He’s taking 12 threes per game in league play. He’s really crafty and creative off the dribble with his mid range game and he’s as good as anyone in the country drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. You just have to work and make it as tough as you can, but the guy is coming off of 41 points this week. Terrific player.”

Do you expect A&M to come out with more urgency?

“That’s a question for coach Williams, but I just think watching them over the years, that’s just who they are. They’re relentless in their effort. They’re incredibly physical on both ends of the floor and one of the top rebounding teams in the country, so i’m not sure what their mentality will be and we’re going to get their very best.”

LSU’s trouble with fouling…

“We have to defend the free throw line better, they’re shooting like 92 percent, so we have to get them to miss some. It’s just part of it. Two really good teams in Auburn and Ole Miss with physical frontcourt and highly skilled guards on the perimeter and Texas A&M checks those boxes as well. Being more disciplined, containing the ball off the dribble, staying out of rotations, and doing a better job not bailing the opponent out around the rim, which has been a problem for us over the last few games.”

Injury report

“Carlos has been out with knee soreness, was back in practice yesterday. We’d list him as questionable for the game tomorrow. Daimion Collins continues his rehab from the dislocated shoulder he suffered back around Thanksgiving. He’s questionable as well.”

On the offensive improvement…

“Overall as a team, we’ve learned how to play better offensively. Those first ten games, our assist to turnover ratio was pathetic. We weren’t creating high quality shots. Now, our spacing is much better, our ball movement has improved, we’re better at offensive rebounding, so we’ve created better scoring opportunities there. Shot selection is a part of that as well.”