It’s been another unforgettable season for the LSU men’s basketball program. Since 2000, the Tigers have finished with a winning record in conference play just eight times. And five times during that span, they’ve had seasons where they’ve won three conference games or less.
Unless LSU wins a couple more SEC games, it will be the sixth time since 2000 the Tigers have won three or less conference games and two of them have come in the Matt McMahon era.
But athletics director Scott Woodward remains committed to McMahon, who took over and quickly had zero scholarship players to work with following the firing of Will Wade for recruiting violations.
According to Shea Dixon of On3.com, McMahon will be coming back for a fourth season, and he’ll have a bigger NIL budget to work with.
On Monday, McMahon was asked about the report that said LSU will continue to ride with McMahon.
“I haven’t looked long term future, been just so dialed in to how do we help our players navigate some of these challenging times that we’ve been in,” McMahon said.
“How do we keep getting better as a team and how do we find ways to win games, but I’ve always been incredibly appreciative of the support that I’ve received here,” he said. “It’s an absolute honor and privilege to get to coach at a place like LSU with the tradition, the history, the star power over the years in all sports.”
LSU, along with South Carolina and Oklahoma have the lowest NIL budgets in the league and it’s no surprise to see this trio at the bottom of the standings.
The decision to stay with McMahon comes down to dollars and sense. If LSU decided to fire McMahon after this season, they would owe him 80-percent of his remaining salary. So that’s eight-million dollars.
Instead of buying out McMahon, it makes more sense to get him more NIL dollars.
Where does that money come from is unclear? LSU football just had a big NIL funding drive for the Bayou Traditions collective.
It’s possible LSU will turn towards former players who are in the NBA or made a lot of money in the Association.
It was a positive sign that Shaquille O’ Neal made an appearance at McMahon’s radio show at TJ Ribs last week.
But increasing the NIL budget will not make LSU an instant winner. The SEC has become the most dominant conference in college basketball and if LSU is increasing its NIL budget, other schools will too.