LSU Men’s Basketball Embarks on Challenging Mardi Gras Road Trip
BATON ROUGE - LSU’s men’s basketball team is packing its bags for an NBA-style road swing over the Mardi Gras break, with two tough matchups on the horizon that could define their February stretch.
First up: a Saturday showdown in Knoxville against a red-hot Tennessee squad riding high after a 73-64 road win at Mississippi State. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
CT at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, where a packed house is expected to bring the energy. The game will air on the SEC Network with Mike Morgan and Mark Wise on the call, and fans can also tune in via the LSU Sports Radio Network (Eagle 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge).
Following the Tennessee game, LSU won’t be heading back to Baton Rouge. With the university on Mardi Gras break, the Tigers will stay on the road and head west to Austin for a Tuesday night clash with the Texas Longhorns.
But before we look ahead to Austin, LSU has some regrouping to do.
The Tigers are coming off a tough 92-61 loss to Arkansas, a game where the Razorbacks were simply locked in from the jump. Arkansas shot over 50% from the field and dominated the paint - a formula that LSU couldn’t counter. The Razorbacks dictated tempo and controlled the interior, racking up easy buckets and making life difficult for the Tigers on both ends.
Despite the lopsided score, there were a few bright spots for LSU. Marquel Sutton led the way with 18 points, showing his ability to create offense even in a tough environment. Pablo Tamba added 11, while freshman big Robert Miller III continued his solid development with 10 points - his third double-digit scoring effort of the season.
One area of concern: Max Mackinnon, LSU’s leading scorer in SEC play, was limited to just 20 minutes before exiting with left knee pain. His status will be clarified in Friday’s SEC Availability Report, but early signs suggest the injury isn’t expected to keep him sidelined long-term. His presence will be crucial if LSU hopes to bounce back against Tennessee.
And make no mistake - the Volunteers are a tough assignment.
Tennessee improved to 7-4 in SEC play with their win in Starkville, and they’re starting to look like a team rounding into form at just the right time. Ja’Kobi Gillespie was the engine in that game, dropping 18 points to lead the Vols.
Nate Ament added 16, and J.P. Estrella chipped in 12.
Bishop Boswell didn’t score much, but his all-around impact was undeniable - eight assists and seven rebounds, setting the tone on both ends.
The Vols were physical and efficient, outscoring Mississippi State 42-24 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 46-31. They shot 43.5% from the field and knocked down 15-of-18 from the free-throw line - a sign of a team that knows how to finish possessions and capitalize on opportunities.
Gillespie continues to lead Tennessee in scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game, while Ament has emerged as a steady contributor behind him.
For LSU, this road trip is more than just a schedule quirk - it’s a gut check. The Tigers have shown flashes of potential this season, but consistency has been elusive. If they can tighten up defensively, stay disciplined in the paint, and get Mackinnon back to full strength, they’ll have a shot to make some noise.
But it starts in Knoxville, against a Tennessee team that’s hitting its stride and playing with confidence. LSU will need to bring its best - and then some - to keep pace.
This Mardi Gras trip isn’t just about surviving the road. It’s about finding out who this LSU team really is.