Will Wade has plenty to like about LSU’s 2-0 start in his second stint leading the Tigers, but the early numbers have also given him something to worry about.
LSU has rolled through its first two games of the 2026 season, beating LSU New Orleans and Texas Southern by an average of 42 points. On the surface, that looks like a team cruising. Wade isn’t interested in letting the scoreboard hide the rough edges.
After the Tigers handled Texas Southern, Wade pointed to one issue in particular: LSU’s shooting from deep. The Tigers went 7-for-28 against LSU New Orleans and then 5-for-22 against Texas Southern, leaving them at just 24% from 3-point range through two games.
That’s a jarring number for a roster Wade built with shooting in mind. He brought in fifth-year senior Skyy Clark, senior Abdi Bashir Jr., junior Saliou Niang, freshman Michael Ruzic and senior Donovan Dent. Clark, who posted a career-high 42.7 3-point percentage at UCLA in the 2025-2026 season, has yet to knock down a 3 for LSU.
“It’s not sustainable how we’re playing,” Wade said.
The free-throw line has been another sore spot. LSU finished 15-for-25 there against Texas Southern, and senior Mouhamed Dioubate missed all four of his attempts.
“We could never get going in the first half,” Wade said. “‘Cause you get an offensive rebound, you get fouled, and you go miss two free throws-it’s like a turnover.”
Even with those issues, LSU has done a lot of damage in the paint and on the glass. The Tigers are averaging 51.5 rebounds per game, while opponents are at 33.5. They’re also putting up 61 points in the paint per game compared with 16 for the teams they’ve faced.
Still, Wade said the problem is bigger than just missed shots.
“Look. We can clean up the details, but our effort certainly needed to improve,” Wade said.
LSU gets one more tune-up against Louisiana Tech on Monday before a much tougher test against No. 15 Gonzaga. That matchup comes against a team holding opponents to 25.7% shooting from behind the arc, giving the Tigers a final chance to sharpen the parts of their offense that have lagged behind the lopsided results.
In Other News...
Kim Mulkey Just Landed Another Frontcourt Talent LSU Fans Will Love
LSUs frontcourt plans for the future got a boost in February when Caroline Bradley, one of the nations top recruits out of Oak Grove, Louisiana, chose the Tigers. The highly regarded prospect is set to make it official during the NCAA early signing period, adding another in-state name to Kim Mulkeys growing pipeline of talent.
Bradleys commitment matters not just because of her ranking, but because of the connection she already has with Mulkey and the fit she appears to offer for LSUs womens basketball program. She is expected to arrive with the chance to make an immediate impact starting next season, giving the Tigers another promising piece to build around up front. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Gets A Whit Weeks Boost As Texas Prep Brings New Concern
LSUs first injury report of the week brought a little relief and a little unease as the Tigers turn their attention to Texas. Linebacker Whit Weeks is listed as questionable after sitting out the previous game with a fractured fibula, giving LSU at least the possibility of getting one of its key defenders back in time for a major matchup.
The report also added fresh concern, with offensive tackle Weston Davis and defensive end Gabriel Reliford showing up among the seven players listed. LSU is already working without Phillip Wright III, Dashawn Spears and Charles Ross II, all of whom are out for the season with leg injuries, so the Tigers are managing both the hope of a boost and the reality of a growing health list as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs Playoff Push Just Took A Hit Fans Cant Ignore
A trip to Alabama was always going to be a measuring stick for LSU, but the Tigers came away with a 31-13 loss that leaves them 6-3 and with plenty to sort through. Even in defeat, there were a few bright spots, with Jackson Harris and TreyDez Green turning in notable performances, but the overall picture was hard to ignore as LSU spent much of the night chasing the game.
Braelin Moore had a rough outing, and the bigger concern was how often the offense seemed to fight itself in key moments. The play calling and coaching decisions drew criticism as LSU struggled to find rhythm, leaving the Tigers with more questions than answers as the playoff push gets tighter. [Read more 🡒]