Matt McMahon credits LSU for ball sharing in Arkansas win

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•02/03/24
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LSU hasn’t been able to establish much consistency since SEC play started, having won just three conference games prior to entering a showdown with Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. Chalk up a fourth after a thoroughly impressive offensive performance for the Tigers.

The team was able to score 95 points in topping the Razorbacks 95-74, and just about everything was working right for the Tigers.

But it started with spacing the floor properly.

“I think that’s the key. As you know, since early December we’re playing a lot faster,” coach Matt McMahon said. “Our spacing is a lot better on the floor.”

One of the things the Tigers did exceptionally well in the game was avoid costly turnovers. LSU coughed it up 11 times in the game but managed to limit the damage.

That allowed the offense to kick into high gear with relatively few wasted possessions.

“And when we move the ball and execute and limit our turnovers, I think we have really, really good players,” McMahon said. “And when they play well together like that, it allows us to score 95 points here at home.”

At 12-9 overall and with a so-so non-conference slate, LSU isn’t really on the NCAA Tournament bubble right now. It would take a few more quality wins to begin to get some talk of that, but it’s certainly possible.

If LSU can find ways to replicate Saturday’s offensive showing on a more regular basis, the Tigers will be a tough out for anyone left in the SEC.

That’s all about players being bought in.

“I thought our efficiency was really good because of the unselfish play,” McMahon said. “Big concern for us coming into the game was Arkansas was, I believe, fourth or fifth in getting to the free-throw line in the country. So they get there 33 times tonight but we got there 28 and made 25 of them because of the spacing and some strong drives that our players were making and the good decision-making.”

McMahon will look for that good decision-making and execution to continue on Wednesday with a showdown at No. 5 Tennessee in a game that tips off at 7 p.m. ET with a broadcast on the SEC Network.