By CODY WORSHAM | Tiger Rag Editor
Will Wade called LSU’s 77-75 win over Michigan in the first round of the Maui Invitational a page-turner for the program.
Its sequel was a page burner.
The Tigers (3-1) shot just 36.5 percent and gave up 15 three-pointers, falling 92-53 to No. 13 Notre Dame in a contest putting a team that’s trying to get back to college basketball’s forefront against a team that’s been there with regularity.
“I did a poor job preparing our team,” Wade said. “We had too many ball screen coverages. We got way too complicated on a short prep. Offensively, we didn’t play with the pace and the passing, and the movement that we needed to. So we were just way too stagnant. That’s on me. We’ve got to get that corrected and get better for tomorrow.”
Duop Reath was LSU’s lone double-figure scorer, tossing in 17 points on the night, including 14 of the Tigers’ first 24.
TJ Gibbs scored 26 for Notre Dame, while Matt Farrell dropped 17 points and dished out 7 assists.
LSU lost junior guard Brandon Sampson to an ankle sprain 30 seconds into the game. Will Wade said afterward that X-rays came back negative and to expect Sampson back in three or four weeks.
“Listen, Notre Dame is a phenomenal team,” Wade said. “They’re a Final Four-caliber team. They shoot it, and they’ve got great poise. They play with unbelievable pace. It would have taken a very good effort from us to win tonight with or without Sampson.”
The Tigers return to action Wednesday in the third place game against Marquette. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m. central on ESPN2.
“There is a huge difference in that, 1-2 and 2-1,” Wade said. “So we’ve got to do everything we can to get back in the saddle and get this win tomorrow over a very good Marquette team.”
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