Story:
The struggles continue for this depleted LSU Tiger Basketball team. The Tigers traveled to Fayetteville in search for a must needed victory on Wednesday. Arkansas, who is now 14-14, controlled the pace of the game and outplayed LSU throughout. The disappointment for this promissing LSU team continues.
For more on the game:
Top Performers:
LSU Ben Simmons: 23 points, 6 assists, 12 rebounds, 1 block.
Arkansas M. Kingsley: 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks.
Arkansas scored an astounding 48 points in the paint as the Hogs bench outscored the LSU bench 32-0.
This was LSU’s third staright loss, who fell to 16-2 overall and 9-6 in the SEC.
“We knew going in it was going to be a tough game here in Bud Walton arena,” said Jones.
“Second half, Arkansas had their way getting post touches, scoring inside, and Kingsley had a great secong half.”
The Tigers were without their most important player, Kieth Hornsby, who torn his groin in practice last week.
LSU shot 35.1 percent from the field on 20-of-57 shooting. In the second half, the Tigers were outscored 51-33.
LSU’s Ben Simmons may be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft next season, and will not make it to the NCAA tournament.
Quotes from Johnny Jones:
“We didn’t do a good enough job in the paint and we didn’t take care of the ball.”
“They scored 24 points off of turnovers.”
“They shot 63% in the second half and that put us in a position we couldn’t come back from.”
“We’re not playing at the level that we need to, to be able to play against good basketball teams right now.”
“There are stretches in the game we need to do a beter job of controlling.”
“I thought they (ARK Offense) did a good job of posting us.”
“Their guards got inside us on some penetration where we may have gambled and they kicked out and were able to hit some threes.
“They did a good job recovering, settling down, and getting poised when we made our runs but overall I think the three pointers really got us in the second half.”
“I thought their team did a great job of sharing the ball.”
“They have become very confident. Their post players took their time, got the ball where they needed it, and took good shots.”
“I thought Kingsley and Thompson both delivered for them tonight.”
“We didn’t have the depth we usually do tonight. With Hornsby out, and a couple of other guys sick, we have three guys in rotation that couldn’t play with us tonight.”
“However, I don’t think any of their absences were big factors in why we lost tonight. We have to get better.”
Realistically, The Tigers will need to win the SEC tournament to notch a bid into the NCAA tournament.
