Link Gumbo: 3-20-18

LSU’s season came to a close Monday night with a 95-71 loss to Utah in the second round of the NIT. All of Utah’s starters scored in double digits Sedrick Barefield, who led the way with 17. Utah got hot from deep and made 14 out of 27 from the 3-point line as opposed to LSU who was 8 for 30 from downtown. Tremont Waters finished his breakout freshmen season with a solid 19 points and 8 assists, although he was 1 for 8 from three. Aaron Epps and Skylar Mays combined for another 28 points.

LSU outperformed expectations after being picked last to finish in the SEC. LSU now has ground to build on, assuming the roster stays in tact, with Tremont Waters and a highly rated recruiting class coming in. LSU will lose impact players Duop Reath and Aaron Epps to graduation. Tiger fan’s should be optimistic about where Will Wade is taking this program.

Shifting gears to the baseball field now, LSU took the series over Missouri in the SEC opener with a 7-5 win on Sunday. Ma’Khalil Hilliard lost his scoreless innings streak but finshed strong to move to 5-0 on the year. LSU got down in the first inning but came back to tie it up in the second with a RBI single from Zach Watson in the 2nd inning before taking the lead in the 3rd on a Hunter Feduccia single. LSU’s bullpen, led by a 1-2-3 8th inning from Nick Bush, shut it down for LSU. To read Luke Johnson’s Three Strikes from the weekend, click here.

LSU seems to have their rotation figured out. Ma’khalil Hillaird is comfortable in that Sunday spot and AJ Labas will hang tight as the mid-week starter for now. For more baseball notes from James Moran of Tiger Rag, click here.

LSU Gym’s regular season finished up on Saturday as they rolled to victory over Arizona. Sarah Finnegan stood out as she earned two 10’s, one on the floor and the other on bars. Other standouts include Kennedi Edney who put up a 39.700 in the all-around, and Myia Hambrick scored a 39.400 in the all-around. LSU’s final score was a 198.125. It is the fourth time this year the Tigers have reached 198.

For more gym notes from The Advocate, click here.

The LSU Women’s basketball was upset by 11th seeded Central Michigan on Saturday morning in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Chloe Jackson led LSU in points with 24. Ayana Mitchell added 16 more and 9 rebounds. Raigyne Lewis career came to a close as she scored 13 points as well as adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Tinara Moore led CMU in scoring with 25 points.

On Friday, Ross Dellenger had a feature piece on LSU’s two heralded transfers from Texas Tech, WR Jonathan Giles and DL Breiden Fehoko. In there, Dellenger has quotes from both players as well as Ed Orgeron. Dellenger discusses how both players are primed for a big year and how well the move as worked out for both players.

LSU softball went 0-2 at Kentucky this weekend before the series finale yesterday was rained out. Carley Hoover was the losing pitcher on Saturday as Allie Walljasper took the loss on Sunday.

Tyrann Mathieu officially signed a 1 year, $8 Million deal with the Houston Texans on Monday. His old coach had a few kind words on his accomplishment.