LSU has had pretty smooth sailing during this young season.
The Tigers (3-0) figure to experience more tranquil conditions when they face Alcorn State (0-5) on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU was challenged more in its most recent game — a 98-81 victory over visiting FIU last Thursday — than it was in its first two games, which the Tigers believe was a good thing.
After leading at halftime by 16 and 12 points in victories by 36 and 35 points against Tarleton State and New Orleans, respectively, the Tigers led FIU by just five points at the break before pulling away in the second half.
“It’s good to know that we can pull through after situations didn’t go our way,” said forward Michael Nwoko. “We’re going to face adversity no matter the case, so being able to push through will help us in the long run.”
Nwoko, a 6-foot-10 transfer from Mississippi State, is one of the reasons LSU averaged a 16.3-rebound advantage over its first three opponents.
“We want to play with physicality and take advantage of our size in the frontcourt,” said Tigers head coach Matt McMahon.
The Tigers’ strength inside enabled them to get to the free-throw line with regularity and they took advantage, making 30 of 34 against FIU.
“To get to the free-throw line 34 times and make 30 of them will put you in a good position to win every time,” McMahon said.
The free-throw line has been a consistently helpful area for LSU, which averages 11.7 more free-throw attempts per game than its opponents and has taken advantage by making 80.2% of its free throws.
Alcorn already has endured losses by 20 points at Maryland, 32 at Florida State and 45 at Minnesota. The Braves don’t play a home game until Jan. 17 — when they play their 16th game of the season.
“I think we have a real good team,” said first-year head coach Jake Morton. “We probably have one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the country. We’re going to find a way to get through it.”
The Braves’ top two scorers come off the bench: former Niagara guard Shane Lancaster (13.8 ppg) and FDU transfer Jameel Morris (10.2 ppg). Lancaster has drilled 14 of 25 3-point attempts.
