The season is barely under way, but LSU and New Orleans both feel they have reason to believe they are much better than they were a year ago.
The Tigers (1-0) and the Privateers (2-0) renew their in-state rivalry when they meet Monday night in Baton Rouge, La. as both teams feature overhauled and supposed upgraded rosters.
LSU, which was 14-18 and 3-15 in the SEC last season, rolled to a 96-60 victory against visiting Tarleton State in its season opener last Wednesday.
“I love our team and they’re a lot of fun to coach,” said Tigers head coach Matt McMahon. “For having so many guys, it’s impressive to see how connected they are here early in the season.”
Four of the six Tigers who scored in double figures in the opener were not with the team last season and a fifth, forward Jalen Reed, played in just eight games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
A key to LSU’s fate this season will be the performance of a new starting backcourt – Dedan Thomas Jr. and Max Mackinnon.
McMahon praised both for their “skill level, high basketball IQ, and great unselfishness.”
“They’re team-first guys and are great passers,” McMahon said.
Mackinnon said LSU has “a bunch of dudes from mid-majors, and we’re trying to prove ourselves.”
The Privateers pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the young season when they went on the road and upset TCU 78-74 on Nov. 3 for their first victory against a power conference opponent in nine years.
“It’s a step in the right direction for sure,” said second-year head coach Stacy Hollowell.
New Orleans followed the opener with a 115-73 exhibition victory against NAIA opponent Southern-New Orleans on Saturday. That was another good sign for the Privateers, who were 4-27, 2-18 in the Southland Conference last season.
But Hollowell has reshaped the team with a full recruiting class after being hamstrung in recruiting when he was hired in April of 2023.
“All of that is behind us and we’re moving forward,” Hollowell said. “We feel good about the pieces we have.”
LSU beat visiting New Orleans 86-70 last season.
