LSU vs. Southern Miss Preview

After a disappointing opening season tournament The Tigers are starting to pick up some momentum. With only two games left until conference play this will be another important win for the team. LSU sits at 9-2 overall, and 6-0 at home. Southern Miss is just 5-5 on the season, and have not won a game on the road. This game should be a chance for The Tigers to score some style points, and let different players see court time.

Perhaps the best news for the team is having starter Josh Gray back. Gray sprained his right ankle and has missed the last two games. A healthy Josh Gray is good news heading towards conference play. Allowing Gray to get back after missing two games might be the most important headline of this matchup.

This game should be another good preview of how some guys on the bench could play bigger roles going forward. Time Quarterman stepped up in the absence of Gray. Jalyn Patterson, Brian Bridgewater, and Aaron Epps all saw more playing time the last two games. Look for those names on Monday night also.

The Golden Eagles are coached by veteran Doc Sadler, but they are not the team they were a year ago. After winning 29 games and a Conference USA title last year they have struggled this season. The Golden Eagles are only averaging 61.7 points per game, and their rebounds per game are among the worst in the country. True, Southern Miss has also only allowed 66 points per game, but they also turn the ball over 15 times per game.

On paper this should be an easy victory for The Tigers. At home, after a week of rest, look for The Tigers to get things done Monday night.

The game is set to air on the SEC Network at 6pm CST.