LSU has had a good pre-conference run.
The Tigers (9-2) have two more tune-ups, beginning with a game against New Orleans on Sunday afternoon in Baton Rouge, La.
“We’re (two weeks) out from the start of SEC play. We’ve got to get better,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “There’s got to be an urgency and a purpose that we work with on a daily basis.”
McMahon said he was pleased with his team’s reaction to a 74-64 loss to SMU on Dec. 14 in its preparation for what turned into a 99-53 victory over Stetson on Tuesday. The Tigers scored the first 17 points of the game, held a 37-point halftime lead and led by as many as 49.
“I think the loss to SMU is something that we needed,” guard Cam Carter said, “because I feel like winning a lot, you kind of get a little comfortable and you get used it. Sometimes, you need to get hit in the mouth like that.”
LSU has played three full games since losing forward Jalen Reed, still its second-leading rebounder (6.5 per game) and third-leading scorer (11.1), to a season-ending knee injury.
“We have to make adjustments and play a little differently,” McMahon said. “These opportunities to get game action are just priceless.”
Reed’s absence leaves the Tigers more perimeter oriented. Their remaining four double-figure scorers are all guards, led by Carter (16.6) and Jordan Sears (15.0).
LSU hosts Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 29 before its SEC opener versus visiting Vanderbilt on Jan. 4.
New Orleans (2-8) periodically has found itself serving as a tune-up for nonconference opponents during pre-league play.
The Privateers have lost by 24 or more points in road games against Kansas State, Baylor, Iowa and Texas — the most recent being a 98-62 loss against the Longhorns on Thursday in which they fell behind 16-0.
First-year coach Stacy Hollowell said New Orleans, which lost its Southland Conference opener 73-70 at Nicholls on Dec. 7, will benefit from facing the power opponents “if we can maintain our sanity through this stretch.”
The Privateers are led by James White with 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Jah Short is the only teammate averaging in double-figure points (12.0).
