Win tonight clinches winning season for LSU

Published 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Baby steps. That’s the way LSU basketball coach Will Wade looks at it.

There are still some possible postseason scenarios for LSU — most realistically the NIT — but Wade doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

The Tigers, though, could reach one season goal tonight when Vanderbilt visits the Maravich Assembly Center.

A victory would assure that the Tigers (15-11, 6-8 SEC) finish Wade’s first season with a winning record.

He has loftier long-term goals, but it would be a start for a team that last season finished 10-21, 2-16 in conference.

“Let’s do that and then say it’s lagniappe from there,” Wade said.

The Tigers also owe Vanderbilt one.

The Commodores (11-16, 5-9) are tied for next to last in the conference, but handed LSU a 77-71 loss in Nashville earlier in the season.

That’s the kind of thing that has frustrated Wade on his maiden LSU voyage.

The Tigers have an impressive  seven wins over teams ranked in the top 50 nationally for RPI, including road wins against Arkansas and Texas A&M — which they also beat at home. 

The latest was a 64-63 win against Missouri at home Saturday.

There have also been hiccups.

“I wish we could be more consistent,” Wade said. “That is what has hurt us. We wouldn’t need any of these (postseason speculation) conversations if we were a little more consistent.

“That doesn’t mean we are going to win every night. I would like to have a little consistency and jump off the roller coaster, and be straight line. That would be phenomenal. That would help towards the other stuff too.”

LSU, which struggled at the Assembly Center early in conference play, has won its last four home games while Vanderbilt hasn’t won a road game anywhere all year in nine tries.

“We are playing better at home,” Wade said. “I think our guys are playing with a little bit more confidence at home.”

LSU