LSU pushes past Texas A&M with 76-71 victory

It marks the second time in nine games in which LSU was outshot that the Tigers have won and the eighth time that LSU has won when outshot from the field in Coach Johnny Jones’ tenure. Here are three reasons to bet the Tigers to cover.

Should the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee see this clip, maybe it will put its blasted Ratings Percentage Index aside for just a second and use the eye test, or the Les Miles’ “want” test or just common sense. When we watch the Kentucky game live streaming or on TV tonight, it wouldn’t be impossible for the Wildcats to jump back into the Top 20 with a victory. LSU then tied it with a 7-0 run that included Victor’s four free throws, and the game was a tense, back-and-forth affair for most of the final 16 minutes.

With seven league games left for everybody, there’s a three-way logjam atop the standings. The Aggies average 65.3 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 76.5 points per game during that span.

The Aggies’ RPI ranking will likely not fall drastically, though, as the RPI focuses on the entire season more than the USA Today and Associated Press polls.

Junior guard Sindarius Thornwell led Carolina for the second straight game, hitting six shots, and adding 11 points from the charity stripe for a game-high 24. The Volunteers are 1-7 in true road games and 0-3 at neutral sites…. This is particularly encouraging for LSU, as he’s the piece that can put them overtop in close games with his scoring acumen.

NOTES: Texas A&M F Jalen Jones (bruised hip) didn’t start because of an injury he sustained in practice late in the week. Both of their wins came at home (again they are inconsistent on the road).

It was another rough day on the turnover end for A&M, committing 19 miscues that led to 20 LSU points.

“Texas A&M is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against LSU”. LSU needs a win desperately against A&M given its soft non-conference schedule and worse yet, non-conference results.

Texas A&M averages 76.3 points per game (ranked 94th). LSU is 12-5 with both Hornsby and Victor eligible, with four of those losses to pretty surefire tournament teams.

Texas A&M: Texas A&M had won the previous three games in the series, including one this season, 71-57, in College Station, Texas…. LSU is 2-2 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Along with the Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats, the Gamecocks are atop the leaderboard with an 8-3 conference record.

The opposite happened to the Aggies this time. Simmons’ commitment to LSU drew some lofty expectations for the Tigers heading into the season, but early losses to teams like N.C. State, College of Charleston and Houston dug a deep hole that ultimately dissolved their preseason hype. Craig Victor II (16 points) absolutely took over in the second half, using aggressive play to help LSU’s advantage on the offensive boards (14-7) and at the free throw line (23 of 29 for LSU compared to 6 of 7 for A&M) as the Tigers pulled away in the final minutes. Assists: Texas A&M11 (Caruso 3), LSU 12 (Simmons 7).

Simmons played well on Saturday, putting up 16 points in the LSU victory en route to recording his 17th career double-double.