Monday, February 12, 2007

Season Rests on His Shoulders

The LSU Tigers men's basketball team is in a situation no one would have imagined. One season removed from the improbable Final Four run, the Tigers are fighting for their lives to get into the NCAA Tournament.
24 games into the season, the team has a record of 14-10 (3-7). Up until this past Saturday, LSU was on a six game losing streak that included four losses by single digits.
As a fan I can not help but look at the team's schedule and wonder how different things would of been had Georgia not hit that game winning three pointer, or if Alabama did not make that improbable late second half run. Brady's Bunch could easily have an SEC record of 5-5, but here they are 3-7. I guess the more I think about it things could be worse. A prime example would be how the Tigers were able to pull a victory out against Arkansas. If the team lost their focus in that game we could easily be looking at a 2-8. But they are 3-7 and nothing can be changed.
Most experts have the Tigers written off as far as getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. I on the other hand just got a shot of confidence watching the team this past weekend.

Why you ask?

Glen Davis

Throughout the season Big Baby has had his difficult games. (Against Tennesse he put only 5 points.) But in the last week John Brady asked for someone on this struggling LSU squad to step up. Somebody needs to grab the reins of this out of control team and take it under his wing. No man is more perfect than Davis. Going into Wednesday's game against the 16-8 (5-5) Ole Miss Rebels, Davis will be averaging an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
All year long this Tiger team has been inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Davis and Tasmin Mitchell, the scoring has not really been that heavily present. Even so Davis knows the situation his team is in. He knows every game is a playoff match, and that alone gives me the feeling Davis is going to continue to put up exceptional numbers.

When I say exceptional I do not mean 18 points and 11 rebounds. Big Baby realizes all eyes are on him so you can expect the big fellow to be pulling down stats around 20 points and 15 rebounds a game.

As lousy as the season has been for this team. There is still a chance for things to change for the better.

For your information, LSU's remaining games are @ Ole Miss, Mississippi State, @ Kentucky, Florida, @ Auburn, and South Carolina. LSU can beat Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, and South Carolina. If the team can stay focused each week and manage to pull off an upset against Kentucky or Florida than maybe, just maybe March Madness will be in Baton Rouge once again...

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