LSU is Confident About the Matchup Againts the Cats

Picture via Kentucky.com

With LSU still looking for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers would need a huge win against the Cats tonight to keep their hopes alive. After defeating the Cats in Baton Rouge 87-82 and falling short in Rupp Arena in a heart-breaking overtime loss 76-77, the Tigers feel confident they can defeat Kentucky for second time this season, according to some post-game comments after their win against Alabama.

LSU matches up well with Kentucky, and the player the Cats need to shut down in tonight’s matchup is none other than Johnny O’Bryant III. O’Bryant, who is a 6’9, 256 pound forward, shot 60% from the field and 55% from the free throw line racking up a season high 29 points and 9 rebounds against the Cats in Baton Rouge. In Rupp Arena, O’Bryant seemed to have a little more difficult time, shooting only 32% from the field, but making 80% of his free throws. He ended the game with 20 points in the overtime loss to the Cats. Between splitting the two games with Kentucky, he has 21 rebounds against the Cats (9 in Pete Maravich Assembly Center, 12 in Rupp Arena).

Picture via KYsportsconnection.com

Another key player for the Tigers is their #1 guard, and Kentucky native, Anthony Hickey out of Hopkinsville, Ky. He plays unselfishly and handles the ball well. Hickey went for 20 points in Rupp Arena with 8 assist and four made threes. Hickey, along with the rest of the Tigers, are confident they can beat Kentucky out of the tournament as they only lost in Rupp arena after a last second put-back by Julius Randle. LSU has contained Randle this season offensively, holding him to 6 points in Baton Rouge and 8 points in Rupp Arena. The “Tweak” is apparently coming and the team seems energized by the hype about it. Whether this is just a mind game by Cal, or an actual change for the better, I can speak for all in saying that as long as it consist of the Cats coming out ready to play from the start to the finish, we’ll all be happy about the “Tweak”.