LSU Vanderbilt Basketball: What to Watch For

It’s another big SEC Basketball showdown as LSU takes on Vanderbilt. Here’s what you need to know about the game.

LSU’s Key Players

In their last meeting, Vanderbilt managed to upset LSU on their home court The Tigers will be looking to return the favor when the two teams face off again tonight. Here are some Key Players to watch for on both sides:

For LSU, juniorSkylar Mayswill be looking to build on his strong performance from last game. He was the leading scorer for the Tigers in their loss to Vanderbilt, putting up 17 points. Mays is averaging 13.5 points per game this season and will be a key player if LSU wants to come away with a victory.

Freshman Trendon Watfordwill also be one to watch. He’s coming off a career-high 19-point performance against Mississippi State and is averaging 11 points per game this season. Watford will need to continue to step up if LSU wants to win tonight’s game.

On the other side, Vanderbilt will be led by junior Saben Lee. Lee is averaging 16 points per game this season and put up a double-double in the last meeting between these two teams, scoring 10 points and 10 assists. He’ll need to have another strong performance if Vanderbilt wants to come away with a win.

sophomoredium Matt Ryanwill also be one to watch for Vanderbilt. Ryan is averaging 12 points per game this season and hit four three-pointers in the last meeting against LSU. He’ll need to continue to shoot well if Vanderbilt wants to come out on top tonight.

Vanderbilt’s Key Players

In order for Vanderbilt to have a chance against LSU, they will need production out of their best players. Here is a look at some of the key players for the Commodores.

For Vanderbilt, the key player to watch is point guard Saben Lee. Lee is averaging 16 points and five assists per game and he will need to be at his best against LSU’s tough defense. shooting guard Maxwell Evans is also important for Vanderbilt, as he is averaging 11 Points per game

Forward Matthew Fisher-Davis is another player to watch for Vanderbilt. He is averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game and he will need to continue his strong play if the Commodores want to upset LSU.

The Matchup

The battle in the paint should be an interesting one, as both teams feature big men who are very effective around the basket. LSU’s Javonte Smart will likely be matched up against Vanderbilt’s Saben Lee, and both players are averaging over 15 points per game

On the perimeter, LSU’s Skylar Mays and Vanderbilt’s Aaron Nesmith will be two of the best shooters in the country. Mays is averaging 16.7 points per game while shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range and Nesmith is averaging 23 points per game while shooting 52 percent from three.

Both teams also feature talented young guards who are capable of making plays off the dribble. LSU’s Tremont Waters is averaging 15 points and 5.9 assists per game while Vanderbilt’s Scotty Pippen Jr. is averaging 14 points and 4.8 assists per game

What’s at Stake

Both LSU and Vanderbilt are coming off of disappointing losses in their last games. LSU lost to Arkansas 73-71, while Vanderbilt fell to Mississippi State 79-62. A win for either team would be a much-needed boost heading into the home stretch of the season.

For LSU, a win would keep them in the hunt for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament The Tigers are currently sitting at 19-9 overall and 10-6 in the SEC. They are ranked No. 35 in the latest RPI rankings and have a solid resume with wins over Oklahoma, Auburn, Houston and Mississippi State A loss, however, would be a tough setback and could put their tournament hopes in jeopardy.

Vanderbilt is also hoping to bolster their resume with a win over LSU. The Commodores are 17-11 overall and 7-9 in the SEC. They are currently ranked No. 54 in the RPI rankings and have some good wins over Florida, Iowa State Texas A&M and Missouri. A loss to LSU would not be disastrous, but it would make it much harder for Vanderbilt to make a case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament

Both teams will be desperate for a win on Wednesday night, so it should be an exciting game to watch.

The History

The LSU vs Vanderbilt Basketball rivalry is one of the most storied and intense in the SEC. The two programs have a long history of success, with LSU winning the first ever meeting between the two schools back in 1908. Vanderbilt has been a power player in the SEC since the early days of the conference, winning 14 SEC titles, while LSU has won 11. The two programs have met 203 times on the hardwood, with LSU holding a slim 102-101 lead in the all-time series.

The intensity of the rivalry was amplified in recent years when Vanderbilt joined LSU in the SEC West division in 2002. The two teams would meet twice a year, with each game having major divisional and conference implications. The 2005 season saw both teams ranked in the Top 25 when they met, with #23 LSU coming out on top against #16 Vanderbilt. That win helped propel LSU to an SEC West title and a berth in the NCAA tournament

The 2006 season saw Vanderbilt return to form, as they won both games against LSU en route to an SEC Championship. In 2007, #1 ranked Florida came to Baton Rouge to take on #5 LSU, but it was Vanderbilt who would play spoiler, upsetting Florida 70-69 to hand them their only loss of the season.

The most recent meeting between these two programs was during the 2016 season, when #19 LSU defeated #13 Vanderbilt 92-84.

The Rivalry

The LSU Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores have been two of the top teams in the SEC for the past few years. The two programs have developed a strong rivalry, with each team feeling that they are the better team. The games between these two teams are always close, and each one is crucial for both teams’ chances of winning the SEC. Here are some things to watch for in this year’s edition of the LSU-Vanderbilt rivalry:

1) The battle of the big men LSU’s Javonte Smart and Vanderbilt’s Simi Shittu are two of the best young big men in the country. They will both be featured heavily in this game, and it will be interesting to see how they match up against each other.

2) The Three-point shooting Both LSU and Vanderbilt are excellent Three-Point Shooting teams. This game could come down to which team can make more shots from beyond the arc.

3) The always-important benches: Both teams have strong benches that can provide a spark when needed. This game could come down to which bench players perform better.

The Fans

Fans of both teams should be in for a treat Saturday as these two SEC rivals face off. Here are a few things to look out for during the game:

The Fans:
This is always a heated rivalry, so expect the fans to be rowdy. LSU fans will be looking to avenge last year’s disappointing loss, while Vanderbilt fans will be hoping to continue their recent success against the Tigers.

The Coaches:
LSU Head Coach Will Wade is in his first year at the helm, and has already led the Tigers to a 20-5 record and an SEC tournament appearance. Wade will be looking to prove that he can compete with the best in the SEC, and a win over Vanderbilt would go a long way towards that goal.

Vanderbilt head coach Bryce Drew is in his third season with the team, and has been rebuilding the program after it struggled in recent years Drew has done a good job so far, but he’ll need to get a win against LSU if he wants to take the next step forward.

The Matchup:
This should be an interesting matchup between two very different styles of play. LSU likes to play fast and scoring, while Vanderbilt prefers a slower pace and focuses on defense. If Vanderbilt can slow down LSU’s offense, they have a good chance of winning the game.

The Prediction

Vanderbilt will most likely lose to LSU.

The Bottom Line

In order for LSU to win this game, they will need to do a better job of taking care of the ball and capitalizing on their opportunities. Vanderbilt is a tough team, and they are not going to give LSU any easy baskets. The Tigers will need to make sure they are patient on offense and take quality shots. On defense, LSU will need to be physical and not let Vanderbilt’s shooters get comfortable. If the Tigers can do these things, they should come away with a victory.