Matt McMahon explains LSU's mindset for SEC Tournament

Matt McMahon’s first season at LSU has been one the Tigers head coach might want to forget. Still, as crazy as it seems, LSU has an opportunity to make the NCAA tournament with an automatic bid if they were to win the SEC Tournament. That is a lofty goal for the Tigers, but the opportunity exists. And as they gear up for their opener against Georgia, McMahon explains what his squad’s mindset is entering into the SEC Tournament.

“I think so. I mean, when you evaluate it, it’s 20 to 25 minutes of solid to good basketball that we’ve been able to play here of late,” said McMahon when asked if LSU would play loose in the tournament. “Unfortunately, just unable to sustain that over an entire 40-minute game. So I think the best approach for us is (a) 0-0 record these next two days.

“Hopefully, (we) go into the tournament and play with confidence. Loose, I would always want us to play that way; loose and confident. But I don’t think practice today is really about trying to change a whole lot of different things. As to the first opponent, Georgia, that was the difference in the game last time. We had 19 turnovers. So, ball security will continue to be point of emphasis if we want to have a chance to win on Wednesday.”

LSU enters the SEC Tournament sitting at the very bottom of the conference at 13-18 overall and 2-16 record and conference play. Still, the opportunity is there for the Tigers to steal an NCAA Tournament bid. All they would have to do is something they’ve had trouble doing all season — beat SEC opponents.

2023 SEC Basketball Tournament Schedule

Wednesday, March 8
Game 1: South Carolina vs. Ole Miss – 7 p.m. ET – SEC Network
Game 2: Georgia vs. LSU – 9 p.m. ET – SEC Network

Thursday, March 9
Game 3: Mississippi State vs. Florida – 1 p.m. ET – SEC Network
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Tennessee – 3 p.m. ET – SEC Network
Game 5: Arkansas vs. Auburn – 7 p.m. ET – SEC Network
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Vanderbilt – 9 p.m. ET – SEC Network

Friday, March 10
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Alabama – 1 p.m. ET – ESPN
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Missouri – 3 p.m. ET – ESPN
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Texas A&M – 7 p.m. ET – SEC Network
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. Kentucky – 9 p.m. ET – SEC Network

Saturday, March 11
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner – 1 p.m. ET – ESPN
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner – 3 p.m. ET – ESPN