The SEC season has kicked off with intense competition as teams navigate their early schedules. Currently, no teams are undefeated, with five teams sharing a 3-1 record, including the Missouri Tigers, who face a struggling LSU team today.
LSU has found itself in a tough position, entering this matchup without a win in SEC play. The season began promisingly for the Tigers, boasting a strong 12-1 record with their only loss coming as a significant defeat to Texas Tech. Their non-conference strategy involved scheduling several Q4 games to build up their win total, yet they achieved only one Q1 victory against SMU, a team that has had a shaky performance history.
The trend of early-season struggles continued for LSU through their SEC schedule. They started with a close loss to Texas A&M in a game that slipped away in the final moments after a promising comeback. Following that was a disappointing defeat against South Carolina and another narrow loss at Vanderbilt. In their most recent game, they held an 18-point lead over Kentucky but ultimately lost due to a last-second shot, prolonging their search for a conference win.
Complicating matters, LSU has dealt with injuries, notably the absence of point guard Dedan Thomas, who is their leading scorer and listed as doubtful for the Missouri game. His potential return could be crucial for LSU’s chances.
On the other side, Missouri’s current winning position reflects a brighter outlook. They may not urgently need this win since they are set for two favorable home games next week against Georgia and Oklahoma, but a victory today would set them at a commendable 4-1 in SEC play.
In past encounters, Missouri has seen success in Baton Rouge, earning a victory three years ago, but their overall record at the PMAC remains challenging. Coach Dennis Gates will be looking to replicate that past success, hoping to inspire his team to break LSU’s streak of losses.
The game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at the Pete Maravich Athletic Center in Baton Rouge, LA, and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. As the season progresses, both teams will be aiming for improved performances, making this matchup a pivotal moment for LSU to begin their turnaround and for Missouri to solidify their standing in the SEC.