The LSU Tigers implode at home, gifting the Mississippi State Bulldogs a blowout win and deepening doubts about their program's trajectory.
In a night of basketball that could only be described as embarrassing, the LSU Tigers fell at home to the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a score of 80-66, though that final score is not very reflective of how the game truly felt.
The Tigers now fall to just 13-8 on the season and, more importantly, 1-7 in conference play. This just seems to be a repeat of last year, as it only gets harder to imagine this team salvaging the campaign.
LSU competed better in the second half, but the 44-21 deficit created in the first frame proved too much to overcome. Anytime they went on a run, the Bulldogs would answer.
This could be one of the final nails in the coffin for the Matt McMahon era. A change this offseason was likely already coming, but losing like this at home to a .500 team that was just 2-5 in conference play entering the night is unacceptable.
McMahon entered the season with some renewed hope, as this was supposed to be his most talented group yet. They started the season as good as could be asked, but the SEC has once again revealed that they simply are still not ready.
There was a little bit of trepidation at the start of conference play as the Tigers lost their engine in DJ Thomas. He's back now, and he is clearly the team's best player, but now the defense has fallen apart.
Mississippi State shot an impressive 51/48/70 split. LSU has not been able to come up with consistent stops in SEC play.
It also didn't help that the Tigers were 4-of-20 from beyond the arc and a terrible 12-of-23 from the charity stripe, which was saved by some late makes. Hard to win games when there is that much of a disparity in efficiency.
The Bulldogs also dominated the boards with 43 rebounds to LSU's 24. The Tigers are poor at the fundamentals, and that continues to get exposed.
Fans are ready for a change, and LSU's decision makers would probably be smart to oblige. This does not seem to be a program headed anywhere serious.
The Tigers still have this season to finish out, though. Their next game is Saturday, Jan. 31 on the road against the 11-9 South Carolina Gamecocks.