Live Gameday Updates/Thread: LSU vs No. 10 Kentucky
Pregame
Former LSU forward Naz Reid made the trip for LSU-Kentucky. He's currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves
Notes: An LSU win tonight would put the Tigers back into a three way tie with the Wildcats and Auburn.
Kentucky's Ashton Hagans is tied with LSU's Skylar Mays in steals per game in the SEC. Wildcats big man Nick Richards is No. 2 in the SEC in blocks per game.
Richards also leads the conference in field goal percentage (66%) while Mays ranks fifth at 49.8%.
A few pregame stories:
Here are a few of the problems that Will Wade can identify as weaknesses within the LSU defense.
Preview of tonight's matchup between LSU and No. 10 Kentucky.
With just over 30 minutes until tip, the paying sections are a bit sparse. The student section has shown up though as the top bowl is already close to full.
Former LSU coach Dale Brown just walked in. Believe that's the first game he's been to this year.
LSU starters:
Javonte Smart
Skylar Mays
Darius Days
Trendon Watford
Emmitt Williams
It's a packed PMAC. Should be a fun one
First Half
Darius Days grabs an offensive rebound and puts it back for the Tigers first points of the evening. Emmitt Williams brings the house down with a ferocious slam on Richards.
Tigers 3-for-6 early, all buckets coming in the paint. Darius Days just picked up his first personal and has to come to the bench.
Great hands from Trendon Watford to knock a ball right off of Maxey's foot
15:17 Official timeout: Tigers trail Kentucky 9-8. Neither team can find the range from three-point range. Kentucky and LSU a combined 0-for-6. Could be in for a slugout in the paint.
Charles Manning subs in for the first time tonight. Manning comes in and immediately drains a three, the first from either team
Tigers lead 11-9 after shot from Manning.
11:24-Already seven second chance points from Kentucky off of four offensive rebounds. LSU trails 16-12 at official timeout.
Four blocks already for the Wildcats as well. Tigers have been unafraid to take it in the paint but are only 4-for-16 to show for it.
Charles Manning has hit two huge threes in this first half. 2-for-2 from deep so far tonight. Trendon Watford follows up with a three of his own
7:10- LSU leads Kentucky 22-20 with at media timeout.
LSU is giving up offensive rebounds at an alarming rate. Already nine for the Wildcats that have led to seven points.
Some phenomenal defense by Manning on Ashton Hagans right there. He's been the difference maker this first half.
Javonte Smart pulls up for a deep three early in the shotclock and Will Wade was tomato red almost as soon as the shot went up. Long rebound comes out to Kentucky, who converts on a transition layup
Timeout (3:12)- Tigers lead 26-24
52.7 seconds-LSU is shooting itself in the foot with four turnovers in the last two minutes. Tigers have been given chances to really add on to this two point lead but are squandering them.
Half: Kentucky 29, LSU 28
Tigers commit four turnovers in last four minutes of the half to squander a great opportunity to extend the lead. Days and Manning lead the way with 6 a piece
Second Half
Skylar Mays takes it hard to the basket and draws a goaltend to start the second half. Tigers have regained the lead over Kentucky.
Emmitt Williams can't convert on two free throws as the Wildcats have opened up a 37-30 lead.
9-0 run for Kentucky has the Wildcats suddenly up 37-30. Largest lead of the game for either team
16:31-Kentucky had stretched its lead to as large as eight points before an ever important Skylar Mays three.
Skylar Mays has 7 of LSU's 12 second-half points. Kentucky once led by eight in this half but Tigers have cut the lead to three
Kentucky has started 5-of-8 from the field and have nine points off of LSU turnovers.
13:41-Charles Manning just picked up his third foul and will come out of the game
Kentucky is 4-for-4 from three-point range in the second half. LSU trails by 8 and is officially in the danger zone. Score is 50-42
Wildcats simply not missing in this half (9-for-12) including a perfect 5-of-5 from three.
7:40- Kentucky leads 58-51 and is shooting 75% from the floor in the second half. Mirror opposite of what the first half looked like
Kentucky has gone three minutes without a field goal but has made three free throws.
This one feels all but over as Sestina drills back-to-back threes to take a 67-52 lead over LSU. Kentucky has shot lights out the entire half and LSU could not keep up.
Quick 7-2 LSU run makes it a 73-64 deficit with 2:18 to go. Mays has been brilliant this half with 13 points
Back-to-back Kentucky turnovers off of LSU's press has breathed new life into the PMAC. Taylor hits a three to cut it to five but Richards comes right back with a bunny hook to put Wildcats up 7.
Charles Manning converts on a layup with 18.9 remaining
78-74, Kentucky
