It’s pretty much a given that the 8-9 matchup in the NCAA tournament will feature a pair of evenly-matched teams. Such is the nature of the seeding.
But as the 8-seed LSU Tigers prepare for a Saturday showdown with the 9-seed St. Bonaventure Bonnies, the matchup pits two teams who both do one thing really well.
For LSU, that’s score the basketball.
At 82.1 points per game, the Tigers rank eighth in the nation in offensive production, with fabulous freshman Cam Thomas ranking fourth among all players with 22.6 PPG.
Three other LSU players – Trendon Watford, Javonte Smart and Darius Days – average double-digits in scoring. Simply put, the Bayou Bengal offense is a multi-faceted beast to try and shut down.
But that’s what the Bonnies specialize in.
St. Bonaventure is a top-five defense in the country, holding opponents to just 60.4 PPG. It’s what powered them to the Atlantic 10’s regular season and tournament championships, and the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
The Bonnies also boast the A-10’s dual award-winner for Most Outstanding Player and Defensive Player of the Year – 6’10” junior Osun Osunniyi. LSU coach Will Wade referred to Osunniyi as an “elite” shot-blocker, and his defense can certainly take over a game if he’s allowed.
On the other end of the floor for both teams, St. Bonaventure’s offense leaves just as much to be desired as LSU’s defense, meaning the strength-on-strength matchup will likely determine the outcome.
So while the old adage dictates that “defense wins championships,” LSU’s offense will have to carry the day if they are to advance past the NCAA tournament’s opening round.
#8 LSU battles #9 St. Bonaventure at 12:45pm Saturday. The game can be heard on WWL Radio.