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Final Stats
FINAL LSU 71 UTAH 95 Chris Seeley seals the deal with a late dunk to knock out the Tigers from the NIT.
2:10 Fourth Quarter LSU gets on 5-0 run, but it’s safe to say that it’s too little too late for the Tigers.
5:55 Fourth Quarter Waters layup blocked by Sedrick Barefield, he then drains a three to make it 82-58. Utah has five players in double figures with Tibbins leading the way with 16.
3rd Quarter Stats
End of Third Quarter Utah cools off yet again to end the quarter, but is able to keep a 21-point lead headed into the fourth.
4:37 Third Quarter Utah continues to roll early in the third quarter with three players in double figures. LSU has two (Tremont Waters, Skylar Mays) in double figures.
1st Half Stats
Halftime LSU goes on 8-0 run, cutting Utah’s lead to 17 points at the break. Utah unable to make a bucket from the field in the final moments of the first half.
3:00 2nd Quarter Utah gets hot from the field again, going on a 7-0 run to make it 45-20 before a media timeout. Bibbins already in double figures with 14.
6:20 2nd Quarter A little more competitve to start the second quarter with Utah starting to slow down after their fast start. LSU currently trailing 38-16. Poor shooting for the Tigers continues to be an issue here, shooting 37 percent from the field.
Stats After One Quarter
End of 1st Quarter: Duop Reath ends the first quarter of action with a slam dunk, giving him four points.
1:32 1st Quarter: Utah puts down the throttle, going on a 11-0 run in almost three minutes. Bibbins and Barefield lead the Utes with eight points each
4:59 1st Quarter: LSU keeps it competitve in opening moments, but Utah’s big men start setting the tone, going on a 6-0 run before Will Wade has to call a timeout. Utes have made six straight from the field.
Starting Lineup
| LSU Starting Lineup | Utah Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| G Brandon Sampson | G Sedrick Barefield |
| F Duop Reath | G Justin Bibbins |
| G Tremont Waters | F David Collette |
| G Daryl Edwards | F Tyler Rawson |
| F Aaron Epps | F Gabe Bealer |
Pretty much as expected for both teams, trotting out the same lineup as they did in the first round. Again, the big story will be Reath vs Collette and who can cause more havoc in the paint.
Game Time and Details
Tipoff Time: 7:00 PM Mountain Time (8:00 PM Central Time)
Date: March 19, 2018 (15,000)
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center
Records: LSU (18-14) vs Utah (20-11)
Favorites: Utah by 5
How They Got Here
LSU was given one heck of a battle last Wednesday by the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, but were able to come away with a nailbiter, winning 84-76.
Justin Bibbins led the Utes in the first round with 21 points and helped erase an 11-point first half deficit last week against UC Davis, helping Utah get the win 69-59.
Key Matchup: Reath vs Collette
The Utes are loaded with big men, but it looks like the key matchup is going to be between 6’10” David Collette and 6’11” Duop Reath. Both are your big bodied forwards are pretty evenly matched and with the expanded lane in the NIT, it’ll be a point of interest as to who imposes their will in the paint.
Rachal Game-Time Decision:
Brandon Rachal was suspended last Wednesday against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, but will be needed on Monday night. The 6’5″ freshman has averaged 4.4 points per game off the bench is expected to be a game-time decision against Utah and that could be a huge loss for the team.
-Clint Domingue