Kristian Ferrell
LSU men's basketball season is over after a blowout at the SEC Tournament, marking their sixth straight loss. The team ended the year with a 14-18 record, a six-game losing streak, and a 3-19 record in conference play, finishing last in the SEC. LSU will not be participating in the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming season, with expectations for coach Matt McMahon's return and improvements in NIL strategies and player recruitment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| LSU Men's Basketball Season Status | Over |
| Final Game | SEC Tournament |
| Opponent | Mississippi State |
| Final Score | 91-62 |
| Season Record | 14-18 |
| SEC Record | 3-15 |
| Losing Streak | 6 Games |
| Head Coach | Matt McMahon |
| Senior Players | Jordan Sears, Dji Bailey, Derek Fountain, Trace Young |
| Potential Return | Cam Carter |
| Freshmen Players | Robert Miller, Vyctorius Miller, Corey Chest, Curtis Givens |
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What You'll Learn
LSU men's basketball season ends with blowout at SEC Tournament
LSU men's basketball's season has come to a disappointing end after a blowout loss to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. The Tigers, seeded 15th, were eliminated by the 10th-seeded Mississippi State with a final score of 91-62, marking their sixth straight loss. This game concluded LSU's second losing season overall and in the SEC, with a record of 14-18 and 3-15 in the conference.
It was a challenging game for the Tigers, who struggled with a scoring drought in the first half, only managing 24 points. Their shooting accuracy was lackluster, with a field goal percentage of 30.8% and a three-point percentage of 19%. Mississippi State, on the other hand, showcased a strong performance, led by Josh Hubbard, who scored 26 points and made 6 of 12 three-pointers.
LSU's leading scorer, Cam Carter, who played against his former team, had a difficult outing. He finished the game with only 13 points, shooting below his average of 16.5 points per game. Carter, a potential returning player for LSU, is a key figure the team hopes to retain.
The Tigers now reflect on a disappointing season, their third consecutive year missing the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Matt McMahon is expected to remain for the next season, with LSU athletic director Scott Woodward committed to his seven-year contract. The focus now shifts to improving the team's performance and making strategic adjustments for a stronger showing in the upcoming season.
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LSU coach Matt McMahon's future
LSU men's basketball coach Matt McMahon has had a challenging season, with the team suffering a blowout at the SEC Tournament and finishing with a 14-18 record. Despite this, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has expressed his intention to keep McMahon, who has four years remaining on his $2.8 million annual contract.
McMahon himself has acknowledged the need for a "reset," and he is enthusiastic about the progress made through NCAA Transfer Portal recruiting. With enhanced NIL strategies and financial investments in the team, McMahon is optimistic about building a competitive NCAA Tournament team.
The upcoming season will be crucial for McMahon to demonstrate improvement and justify his retention. He has a proven track record as a player and coach, working his way up from a scrawny walk-on point guard to a successful head coach at Murray State before taking on the LSU role.
McMahon's ability to nurture player relationships and trust, as well as his focus on synchronization between tactics and tricks, are notable aspects of his coaching philosophy. With increased resources and a stronger roster, he will be expected to deliver better results in the upcoming season.
In summary, Matt McMahon's future as LSU's coach appears secure for now, with the athletic director offering continued support. The 2025-26 season will be a test of McMahon's ability to translate his positive attitude, player recruitment, and enhanced resources into on-court success, potentially resetting the trajectory of LSU's men's basketball program.
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LSU's poor form in the SEC
LSU's men's basketball team has had a disappointing season, with a string of losses and poor performance in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team lost its sixth straight game in the SEC tournament, finishing with a 14-18 record for the season, including a 3-15 record in the SEC. This is the team's second losing season in three seasons under coach Matt McMahon, who has come under scrutiny for the team's poor performance.
There are several factors that have contributed to LSU's poor form in the SEC. One of the main issues has been the team's shooting. LSU was ranked 335th in the country in 3-point shooting, with a percentage of 30.5%, which was last in the SEC. The team also struggled with spacing on the court, missing too many open shots and failing to rebound misses. Additionally, the Tigers lacked good playmakers and had a high turnover rate, ranking 329th in opponents' rate of getting steals against them, according to KenPom.
Injuries also played a part in the team's struggles. Junior big Jalen Reed suffered a season-ending ACL injury in December, and junior wing Tyrell Ward, who averaged nine points per game last year, was absent due to prioritizing his mental health. This led to a dependence on first-year players, who struggled to make an impact. While Robert Miller became a top-three player for LSU by the end of the season, he was inconsistent. Vyctorius Miller showed promise early on but struggled against more physical opponents in conference play.
The team also lacked experience, ranking as the fourth lowest in the SEC in terms of experience rating on KenPom. This may have contributed to their high number of turnovers and poor decision-making. Additionally, LSU's athletic director, Scott Woodward, has been criticized for his handling of the team and for throwing money at coaches who have underperformed.
Overall, LSU's men's basketball team has faced a challenging season, with a combination of poor shooting, injuries, lack of experience, and questionable coaching decisions contributing to their poor form in the SEC. With the season now over, the team will look to reset and improve for the next year.
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LSU's recruiting for next season
LSU's men's basketball team has had a disappointing season, losing its sixth straight game and finishing 14-18 overall. This is the team's second losing season in three seasons under coach Matt McMahon. Despite this, McMahon is expected to return next season, and LSU plans to implement new NIL strategies to improve its ranking near the bottom of the SEC in available NIL cash for players.
In terms of recruiting for next season, LSU has added guard Ron Zipper of Israel, shooting guard Rashad King of the Northeastern Huskies, and University of Omaha transfer forward Marquel Sutton to its roster.
For the LSU women's basketball team, the university signed the number one ranked women's basketball recruiting class in 2024. This included Bella Hines, a 5'10" combo guard from Eldorado High School in New Mexico, who was a standout three-point shooter. Other recruits included 6'1" forward ZaKiyah Johnson from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, who brings size and athleticism to the backcourt, and 6'3" forward Grace Knox from Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, who has the ability to play both on the perimeter and in the paint. The fourth recruit was 6'0" guard Divine Bourrage from Davenport North High School in Iowa, who has proven to be a dynamic facilitator and effective in the transition game.
In addition to these four players, LSU women's basketball has also received commitments from Izzy Besselman, who was placed on scholarship in December 2024, and Meghan Yarnevich, who signed with LSU in May 2025.
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LSU's NCAA Tournament chances
Baseball
LSU Baseball was in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament after starting the Southeastern Conference with a 3-12 record and losing its opening five series in the conference play for the first time since 1977. However, with 15 more conference games before the SEC Tournament, their chances were not at 0%. LSU needed a minimum of 13 wins in the conference play to be in contention for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Basketball
LSU Men's Basketball had a disappointing season, ending with a blowout at the SEC Tournament and losing its sixth straight game, finishing with a 14-18 record. This marked the team's second losing season under coach Matt McMahon, who is expected to return for the next season.
Men's College World Series
LSU had better fortunes in the 2025 Men's College World Series, where they secured the championship title.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, LSU men's basketball season is over after an SEC Tournament loss.
LSU lost its sixth straight game, 91-62 to No. 10 seed Mississippi State.
The Tigers ended the year with a 14-18 record, finishing with a 3-19 record in the SEC.
The coach is Matt McMahon.
It will be up to McMahon and his staff to recruit the best roster for the next season.
