SC is 14-3 against the spread in their last 17 home games, 4-1 against the spread against the SEC, and 20-7 against the spread in their last 27 games. Anthony Collins missed a pair of free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining in a 63-62 loss. Jalen Jones finished with a game-high 21 points and seven rebounds for A&M, while Danuel House was held scoreless in the first half and recorded just 12 points.
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While no longer in the Top 25 and long departed from their 15-0 start, the Gamecocks followed last Saturday’s 81-78 victory at then-No. SC is averaging 78 points per game and they are shooting 43.9 percent from the floor while defensively they are allowing 69.4 points and their opponents are shooting 39.7 percent.
The Tigers (15-9, 8-3) are now tied for first place with the Gamecocks (21-3, 8-3) and Kentucky (18-6, 8-3).
So far, there have been 77 SEC basketball games.
The setback dropped the Tigers into a tie for the top spot with Carolina and Kentucky at 8-3, with Texas A&M and Florida a game back at 7-4. That’s not going to happen… and we’re not expecting it to happen. It was LSU’s fourth loss in five meetings with Texas A&M. “We are really working on our team defense”, he said. “They’ve been among the toughest defensive teams, as a unit, that I’ve had to go against since I’ve been here”.
The game will be televised by CBS with Spero Dedes and Doug Gottlieb on the broadcast, while Jim Hawthorne, Ricky Blanton and host Kevin Ford will handle the broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network (Eagle 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge).
Ben Simmons is no doubt the best player in the country and the NCAA needs him in the NCAA Tournament.
ON THE WOMEN’S SIDE: No. 2 SC suffered its first loss of the season Monday when it fell 66-54 to No. 1 CT.
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“We’ve unfortunately missed shots”, LSU coach Johnny Jones said. Quick ball movement, doing work early in the post and being ready to re-post, setting good and timely screens – all those little things have to be taken care of on each possession to create the best possible shot opportunities. We’ve gone through areas where we had foul trouble. “Meaning they’re not playing with confidence and ability”.
