Date set for LSU's non-conference game vs. SMU in New Orleans

SMU basketball coach Andy Enfield sat down with On3’s On The Pony Express on Wednesday and revealed the date of the Mustangs heading to New Orleans to face Matt McMahon’s LSU Basketball team. The ACC-SEC matchup is set for Dec. 13 in the Smoothie King Center, but a time is still to be determined.

LSU lost to SMU in Dallas last year in the first game of the pseudo home and home series, with this matchup now coming to Louisiana where LSU looks to get a win and split this non-conference series.

LSU already is set to play Boston College, Texas Tech, and Drake as three non-conference games and SMU is another high-major program who will challenge LSU early.

In SEC play, the Tigers will face Arkansas, Texas A&M, and South Carolina twice, once home and one away. Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma will be coming to Baton Rouge, while LSU will travel to face Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt.

The full non-conference slate has not been announced yet as LSU looks for a bounce-back season in 2026 with a revamped roster and a squad intent on making the NCAA Tournament. Games against high-level competition in the non conference certainly offers the Tigers chances to bolster that resume before entering SEC play.

LSU returns Jalen Reed and Robert Miller as to quality forwards, but the rest of the roster is completely new with transfer portal players and three freshmen. Players like DJ Thomas at point guard and wings Max Mackinnon, PJ Carter, and Rashad King will help with the scoring and defense, while the post depth is one of the biggest strengths of this team. Mike Nwoko and Marquel Sutton both come to LSU with lofty expectations and the Tigers understand what is at stake this season.