Alabama Hoops hopes to sweep LSU this season when they travel to Baton Rouge.
Alabama is set to face LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a tip-off scheduled for 11:00 CT (12:00 ET). The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
Alabama Basketball, with a record of 16-7 (8-2 SEC), aims to bounce back from a significant loss against Auburn as they take on the LSU Tigers, who stand at 12-10 (4-6 SEC), in a Saturday morning matchup. Despite a decisive 109-88 victory over LSU just two weeks ago, Coach Nate Oats remains critical of his team, emphasizing the need for increased effort and commitment on the defensive end. Recognizing that relying solely on outscoring opponents is not a sustainable strategy, the Tide is working towards defensive improvements for long-term success and a strong finish to the season.
Facing LSU in the Maravich Assembly Center poses a challenge, given the team’s stronger performance at home this season. LSU features playmaking transfer guards Jordan Wright (formerly of Vanderbilt) and Jalen Cook (Tulane). Cook, who previously dealt with eligibility concerns, is now facing an injury and is questionable for the upcoming game. His presence could significantly impact LSU’s backcourt strength, crucial in determining the game’s outcome.
In the previous meeting between Alabama and LSU, freshman guard Mike Williams III and reserve forward Derek Fountain led the Tigers with 16 and 14 points, respectively. If Cook is unable to play, LSU may rely on unexpected contributors to match Alabama’s scoring, as the Tide ranks among the highest-scoring teams in the country.
Despite concerns about Alabama’s ability against elite teams, they have established a clear gap between themselves and middle-of-the-pack SEC teams. With a 3-2 record on the road in SEC play, including victories at Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Georgia, Alabama aims to secure another road win. In the context of the regular-season conference title race, road victories are considered valuable assets. A win in this game would keep the Tide in contention for the SEC championship.
