It was the kind of night LSU fans had been waiting to see: Will Wade back on the sideline in purple and gold, working the bench, and even picking up a technical along the way. But the bigger takeaway from Tuesday wasn’t just Wade’s return. It was LSU looking like a team with real upside.
The Tigers opened their season by rolling past LSU New Orleans, 100-57, and several players put their stamp on the win. Saliou Niang filled up the box score with 14 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals.
Donavan Dent led LSU with 19 points and added 10 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while also grabbing 4 rebounds. Off the bench, freshman center Michael Ruzic gave the Tigers a strong lift with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.
For a group that had barely gotten much preseason run because of the eligibility issues the team was waiting to resolve, the performance was encouraging. Once this roster gets more time together, the expectation is that it will keep sharpening.
It wasn’t a spotless debut, though. LSU turned it over 12 times and shot just 25% from three-point range. Abdi Bashir showed off his shooting ability in a reserve role, going 3-of-9 from deep and finishing with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting overall.
The defense was the sharper side of the ball. LSU held the Privateers to 25% shooting from the field and 14% from beyond the arc. Still, the Tigers gave up 14 offensive rebounds and sent LSU New Orleans to the line 38 times after committing 25 fouls, two areas that will need cleaning up as the season goes on.
Even with those rough edges, it was a strong first step. LSU has the talent, and it has the coaching and leadership to build on it. The Tigers are back in action Friday against Texas Southern at 7 p.m. on SECN+.
In Other News...
Whit Weeks Gives LSU Fans Real Hope Entering Alabama Week
The latest SEC injury report offered LSU a small but meaningful bit of optimism heading into Alabama week, with linebacker Whit Weeks moving to doubtful. It is not a clean bill of health, but it does suggest progress for a defense that will need every available piece when the Tigers line up for one of the leagues biggest games.
The report also painted the broader picture for both sides, with several players from LSU and Alabama listed as out, doubtful or questionable. For LSU, Weeks status is the one to watch, because even an uncertain return would matter in a matchup where depth, communication and physicality tend to decide as much as talent does. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Eyes Familiar Defensive Help Before Its Biggest Game Yet
With LSU gearing up for its biggest test yet against Alabama, the Tigers are also looking at a familiar face who knows Baton Rouge well. LSU is reportedly trying to bring former Baylor head coach Dave Aranda back into the fold in an analyst-type role, and Aranda is already in town and showing interest.
Arandas name carries real weight around LSU because he previously served as the Tigers defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2019 before taking over at Baylor. Any move to add him now would come at a pivotal moment, with LSU trying to sharpen every edge it can before the showdown on deck. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Eyes Familiar Coaching Addition With Alabama Stakes Rising
LSU is moving toward a familiar addition on the coaching side, with former Baylor head coach Dave Aranda reportedly set to join Lane Kiffins staff as an analyst. Aranda is no stranger to Baton Rouge, having previously served as LSUs defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2019, and his return would bring an experienced defensive voice back into the building at a time when the Tigers are looking to sharpen every edge.
Aranda was fired by Baylor earlier this season, and he is already in Baton Rouge as LSU works to finalize the hire. For a program that knows what he brought the last time around, the appeal is obvious, even if the exact role is still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]