BATON ROUGE – The LSU men’s basketball team is set to host the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, kicking off a two-game homestand. The game is scheduled to begin just after 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network, featuring commentary from Dave Neal and Rodney Terry. Fans can also tune in to the LSU Sports Radio Network, where Chris Blair and former LSU head coach John Brady will provide the call.
Tickets for the matchup are available online through LSUTix.net and can also be purchased at the ticket windows located on the upper concourse of the Maravich Center starting one hour before tip-off. Students from LSU will gain free admission with a valid ID. To enhance the experience, it will be Beat the Buzzer night, providing selected discounts on food and drinks in the hour leading up to the game. Additionally, the first 500 students will receive a complimentary black LSU basketball shirt.
Entering the game, the Tigers hold a record of 12-4 overall but are still searching for their first Southeastern Conference victory at 0-3. In contrast, Kentucky stands at 10-6 with a 1-2 mark in league play; they recently secured their first conference win by dominating Mississippi State 92-68 at home.
LSU Coach Matt McMahon spoke with the media prior to the contest, expressing optimism for a turnaround as the team takes on a formidable Kentucky squad. “We are excited to be back home. It’s a great opportunity to change our season. Kentucky is a really talented team,” he noted. He also provided an update on point guard DJ Thomas, who is making progress on an injury. “He wants to be on the floor more than anything. We’re not going to risk putting him on too early, but we’ll see how he responds.”
The Tigers are looking to bounce back after a hard-fought 84-73 loss to undefeated Vanderbilt over the weekend, where they struggled early in the first half but made a notable comeback attempt in the second half. Max Mackinnon emerged as a standout performer in that game, scoring a season-high 27 points, which included three three-pointers and a perfect record from the free-throw line. Coach McMahon expressed pride in Mackinnon’s recent development, praising his scoring versatility and positive assist-to-turnover ratio, especially in light of injuries to key players.
Kentucky is bringing talent to the court as well, with Otega Oweh leading their last game with 22 points, alongside impressive performances from Malachi Moreno and Denzel Aberdeen. For the season, Oweh is averaging 15.5 points per game, contributing to the Wildcats’ offensive strength.
Looking ahead, the Tigers will continue their homestand with a 2:30 p.m. game against Missouri on Saturday, also broadcasted on SEC Network. This event will celebrate the 1986 NCAA Final Four team as part of Alumni Day, honoring former players and coaches. This upcoming series of home games not only provides a chance for redemption but also highlights the vibrant community spirit surrounding LSU basketball.