Divine Ugochukwu’s first night in an LSU uniform gave Tigers fans plenty to chew on, even if the final result was a win. The former Michigan State guard paced LSU with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting in Thursday’s exhibition against McNeese, and he logged 39 minutes, tied with Donovan Dent for the team high.
But the box score told a bigger story than Ugochukwu’s scoring line. LSU escaped with a 63-60 exhibition win despite having four players listed as eligible in the days before the game and only seven players taking the floor. That’s not exactly the kind of roster stability that inspires confidence in October.
Ugochukwu’s scoring stood out, but his playmaking didn’t. He finished with a 0-to-3 assist-to-turnover margin, which is a tough tradeoff for a combo guard. LSU had four players finish in double figures, yet Ugochukwu didn’t record an assist.
For Michigan State fans, the move has an all-too-familiar feel. Tre Holloman left after the 2024-25 season, when Michigan State won the Big Ten title and reached the Elite Eight, to play for Will Wade at NC State. That decision didn’t pay off the way he likely expected, with the Wolfpack bowing out early in the NCAA Tournament and Holloman not having the season he was promised.
Ugochukwu, meanwhile, appears to be settling in at LSU, but the early signs suggest this could be a rough ride. The Tigers’ thin roster and the uncertainty around eligibility make the season opener something to watch closely.
For now, Ugochukwu got the minutes and the points he was after. Whether that turns into something better at LSU is another question entirely.
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Tom Izzo's Influence Reached Oregon In A Moment Michigan State Fans Will Notice
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For Michigan State fans, the news lands with a subtle extra layer because of who helped shape Altmans thinking along the way. Tom Izzo has long been one of the sports most respected voices on knowing when the job has become too heavy, and that perspective apparently resonated beyond East Lansing. Altmans decision now leaves Oregon looking for its next leader while also offering another reminder of how Izzos influence reaches well beyond the Spartans own sideline. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Has A Huge Chance To Prove This Start Is Real
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Now comes the part that should tell everyone how real this start is. Facing a conference slate at home always matters, but the timing makes it even more interesting for a team trying to establish itself nationally and inside the Big Ten. With the Breslin Center as the backdrop and two league tests in front of it, Michigan State has a chance to show that this hot beginning is more than a fast first month. [Read more 🡒]