South Carolina came to Baton Rouge Saturday night to play LSU that the local pundits predicted would be a game of importance for the Tigers SEC rankings and seating in the upcoming NCAA playoffs. And for the 18th straight time, Carolina came away with a big win. It was a packed Pete Maravich Center and the LSU fans had high hopes.
In a TP/New Orleans Advocate sports column of Feb. 3 said LSU was hitting its stride at a crucial time and listed some stats why that was important going into the stretch of its SEC schedule in the next several weeks. Since that article was written, LSU has lost to Texas, beat Auburn and loss to South Carolina. The big problem that LSU has faced this year is the fact that they lost their first two SEC games of the season and put them in a hole. The pundits never wrote about that but what SEC team can afford to do that and not stumble the rest of the season. After all, who has yet to learn how tough it is to win in the SEC.
As far as stats go, it does not tell the whole story in a basketball game that is different from all other sports. Games are close, the lead changes hands many times and the game is usually decided in the last two minutes. When two good teams meet, usually the team that is the most consistent wins. and that is what took place Saturday night for South Carolina for the 18th straight time.
Another thing to think about is this. Has the media overrated Kim Mulkey's ability since she came to LSU because she was so successful at Baylor? Mulkey and other coaches did not have all the changes to worry about during her stay at Baylor or the first couple of years at LSU. Now she does and so do other coaches. In other words, it is a different ball game now. Plus she is coaching in the SEC.
The positive note is LSU will make the playoffs and have an opportunity to play in the national championship game if they play well enough.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
