As SEC play creeps closer on the calendar, Matt McMahon’s LSU squad is starting to show its identity - and it’s not hard to see what kind of team the Tigers are shaping up to be. Now sitting at 9-1, LSU just wrapped up the toughest stretch of its non-conference slate, splitting games against two quality opponents: a tough loss to No.
19 Texas, followed by a bounce-back win over SMU, a top-45 KenPom team. With that behind them, the Tigers return home to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for a Friday night matchup against Southeastern Louisiana.
And after 10 games of action, we’re starting to get a real sense of what makes this group tick.
Here’s what stands out most about LSU as they head into the heart of the season.
1. Size and Strength Are LSU’s Calling Cards
This year’s LSU team looks and plays a lot different than last year’s version - and that starts in the frontcourt. Even after losing Jalen Reed to a season-ending Achilles injury, the Tigers have no shortage of size or physicality. McMahon is rolling out a rotation of four bigs who bring not just height, but experience, toughness, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Pablo Tamba, the 6-foot-7, 206-pound grad transfer from UC Davis, might be the most athletic of the bunch - and he plays like it. He was everywhere against SMU, finishing with 14 points, 10 boards, and three steals in a performance that showed just how impactful he can be on both ends. He’s not just a high-motor guy - he’s a tone-setter.
Tamba is joined up front by junior Mike Nwoko, fifth-year senior Marquel Sutton, and sophomore Robert Miller. That’s a group with size, strength, and a physical edge that LSU lacked last season.
Just for context: at this point last year, LSU had just three forwards in the rotation - two freshmen and a redshirt junior who barely cracked 200 pounds. The difference in physicality is night and day.
2. Dedan Thomas Brings True Point Guard Play
Every team wants a floor general - someone who can run the show, control tempo, and make life easier for everyone else. LSU has that in Dedan Thomas.
The UNLV transfer has been exactly what McMahon hoped for when he brought him in from the portal. Thomas is averaging 15.3 points per game and leads the SEC in assists at 6.9 per night, all while keeping his turnovers impressively low (just 1.6 per game). But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Thomas has a knack for putting pressure on defenses with his dribble penetration. He’s not just driving to score - he’s creating.
Whether it’s a drop-off pass to a big or a kick-out to a shooter, Thomas makes quick, smart decisions that keep the offense flowing. He’s the kind of point guard who elevates the play of those around him.
McMahon didn’t hold back when talking about his floor leader: “I love his mentality, I love his ability to make everyone around him better,” he said. “I said it from Day 1, I mean, I love getting to coach DJ Thomas. He's a terrific player, and I think you'll just see him keep getting better.”
3. LSU Isn’t Living and Dying by the 3 - and That’s by Design
In a conference where many teams make the three-ball a central part of their offense, LSU is taking a different route. The Tigers are currently last in the SEC in made threes per game (6.7) and second-to-last in attempts (20.5). That’s not an accident - it’s a stylistic choice.
LSU is built to attack the paint. With Thomas constantly probing the defense and a stable of strong, rim-running bigs, the Tigers are focused on finishing at the rim, drawing fouls, and getting high-percentage looks.
When they do shoot threes, they’re mostly catch-and-shoot looks - not pull-up jumpers off the dribble. It’s a more selective approach, aimed at efficiency over volume.
That said, McMahon knows they’ll need to hit enough from deep to keep defenses honest, especially against high-powered SEC offenses. Shooting guard Max Mackinnon and forward Marquel Sutton have been the primary threats from beyond the arc, combining for 35 of LSU’s 61 made threes so far. They’ll need to keep that up - and maybe even ramp it up - as the schedule stiffens.
With one more tune-up before the grind of SEC play begins, LSU has already shown it can win with size, toughness, and a true point guard leading the way. There’s still room for growth - particularly from the perimeter - but the Tigers have laid a strong foundation. The next few weeks will reveal just how far that formula can take them.