Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #3OT where I break down what went right and what went wrong on the hardwood for the LSU Tigers! In this edition, I look at LSU’s win over Mizzou.
1st OT: Second Half Adjustments Key to Win
LSU looked like they were about to lose another SEC game on the road against a lesser team like Mizzou. Until the end of the first half, Mizzou was firmly in control before LSU was able to make it a five point deficit as they headed into the locker room. The second half saw some adjustments to how LSU did things defensively and may have been the deciding factor. They held Mizzou to 12-of-31 from the field including only one made three pointer on 13 attempts. If that defense can show up every game, the sky is the limit.
2nd OT: Foul Issues
One thing that will need to be fixed is LSU getting into foul trouble. They were without Duop Reath and Brandon Sampson for big chunks of the game due to them getting numerous fouls. It also led to more opportunities for Mizzou to get back in it in the second half with 16 of their 26 free throws coming in the final twenty minutes. Allowing a team that many chances at the charity stripe is not a good look at all for a team that is trying to move forward in the SEC after a bad showing last year.
3rd OT: Blakeney Beasts In Second Half
If not for Antonio Blakeney in the second half, odds are that LSU would be starting out 0-2 on the road trip. LSU was able to get the lead back in the second largely due to his performance where the sophomore put up 17 points in the second half including three three-pointers. One of the things that this team was lacking last season was a player that could be the alpha dog when it was absolutely necessary, and it seems like he wants to be looked at as that alpha based of his performance in the second half.
-Clint Domingue
-Clint Domingue