LSU Basketball Looks to Keep Rolling, While Football Eyes Bowl Prep and Portal Moves
The LSU men’s basketball team is back in action tonight, riding high off a momentum-shifting win over SMU. At 9-1, the Tigers are quietly putting together a strong non-conference resume, and that SMU victory-classified as a Quad 1 win-was exactly what this squad needed after a tough loss to Texas Tech the week prior.
In a season where quality wins are few and far between, every opportunity matters. And now, with three games left before SEC play begins, LSU has a chance to fine-tune its identity and build on that momentum-starting with tonight’s matchup against Southeastern Louisiana.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and the game will stream on SECN+.
Tigers Offense Clicking, But Still Searching for Balance
LSU enters the night ranked sixth in the SEC in scoring, averaging 88.5 points per game, and tied for third in margin of victory at 17.9. That’s the kind of offensive production that turns heads.
What’s especially intriguing is how efficient this team has been inside the arc-they hold the second-best field goal percentage in the conference. But from deep?
That’s a different story. LSU is near the bottom of the SEC in three-point shooting, and that inconsistency from long range has been a lingering issue.
Still, the Tigers are coming off one of their best shooting performances of the season against SMU, and if they can replicate that rhythm tonight, it could be another step forward in their development. This is a game where LSU will be heavily favored, but don’t mistake that for a throwaway. These are the types of matchups where good teams get better.
Southeastern Louisiana Brings Battle-Tested Resume
Southeastern Louisiana comes in at 4-7, fresh off a heartbreaking loss to East Texas A&M on Monday, where they gave up the game-winner in the final 10 seconds. The Lions have already faced two SEC opponents this season-falling to Ole Miss 86-58 and putting up a fight against Mississippi State before losing 75-68. This will be their third crack at an SEC squad, and they’ll come into Baton Rouge looking to play spoiler.
On the Football Side: Bowl Prep Quiet, but Eyes Are on the QB Room
While hoops takes center stage tonight, LSU football is grinding behind the scenes in preparation for the Texas Bowl against Houston next Saturday. Practices have been closed off to the media, so there’s been little in the way of official updates. But a couple of social media posts gave fans a glimpse of what’s happening behind the curtain.
One post showed Coach Lane Kiffin and interim head coach Frank Wilson watching what looked like an 11-on-11 drill, with Garrett Nussmeier under center. That’s certainly eyebrow-raising, especially since Wilson previously said Nussmeier wouldn’t be playing in the bowl game.
But before we start drawing conclusions, it’s worth noting that another video from practice only showed freshman Michael Van Buren at quarterback. So, for now, the situation remains fluid.
Mansoor Delane Joins LSU's All-Time Greats
There was big news on the awards front this week. Cornerback Mansoor Delane completed a clean sweep of first-team All-American honors, earning a spot on the Football Writers Association of America’s team.
That makes him a unanimous All-American, one of just 14 in LSU history. And when you look at the names he joins, it’s a who’s who of Tiger legends:
- Billy Cannon (1958, 1959)
- Patrick Peterson (2010)
- Joe Burrow (2019)
- Ja’Marr Chase (2019)
- Malik Nabers (2023)
Now, add Mansoor Delane (2025) to that list. That’s elite company, and a testament to the kind of season Delane put together.
Portal Watch: Defensive Line Outlook Taking Shape
As the transfer portal carousel spins, LSU’s defensive line room is in a relatively stable place-at least compared to the edge and linebacker spots. The Tigers are expected to return key interior contributors like Dominick McKinley, Ahmad Breaux, and Walter Mathis, all of whom logged meaningful snaps this season. There’s also a group of younger players-Shone Washington, Zion Williams, and Brandon Brown-who didn’t see much action but could develop into rotational pieces.
The biggest departures? Jacobian Guillory and Bernard Gooden, both of whom have exhausted their eligibility.
Gooden, in particular, was one of the standouts of fall camp and delivered on the hype throughout the year. Credit goes to defensive line coach Kyle Williams, who got a lot out of this group.
What makes this unit even more intriguing is the incoming freshman class. LSU landed a trio of blue-chip prospects, including:
- Lamar Brown - A 5-star athlete projected to play DT or DE
- Richard Anderson - The top-rated defensive lineman in the country
- Deuce Geralds - Georgia’s all-time high school sack leader
It’s a tall order to expect true freshmen to dominate in the trenches right away, but the potential is undeniable. How quickly they adapt and impact the rotation could shape LSU’s defensive identity next fall.
As it stands, the Tigers don’t have a pressing need to dip heavily into the portal for interior linemen. But if the right veteran becomes available, don’t be surprised if LSU makes a move to bolster depth.
Graduation Day for a Few Familiar Names
Off the field, LSU celebrated a few special moments this week as several football players walked across the stage during fall commencement. Among the graduates:
- Austin Ausberry, son of LSU Athletics Director Verge Ausberry
- Kenzel Kelly, son of former head coach Brian Kelly
- Frank “Quad” Wilson IV, son of interim head coach Frank Wilson
- Patrick Payton, standout edge rusher
It’s always a proud moment when athletes succeed in the classroom as well as on the field. Hats off to these young men as they take their next steps-whether that’s in football or beyond.
With basketball heating up and football prepping for a bowl and a busy offseason, it’s a pivotal stretch for LSU Athletics. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about where both programs are headed as 2025 winds down and 2026 comes into view.