Kristian Ferrell
The LSU Tigers men's basketball team, also known as the Louisiana State University Tigers, has had a tumultuous history with highs and lows. The team has experienced success, such as winning the SEC regular-season championship in 2019 and reaching the NCAA tournament in 2015, but has also faced challenges. In 2022, LSU made headlines when head coach Will Wade was fired amid accusations of five Level I NCAA violations, including impermissible cash payments to prospective student-athletes and their families. The team has also dealt with player injuries, transfers, and academic priorities affecting their performance. Despite these setbacks, the Tigers continue to strive for success under the leadership of current head coach Matt McMahon, who aims to bring experience and physicality to the roster.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Head Coach | Matt McMahon |
| Former Head Coach | Will Wade |
| Former Head Coach Firing Reason | Accused of five Level I NCAA violations |
| Former Head Coach Firing Date | March 12, 2022 |
| Former Head Coach Tenure | Five seasons |
| Former Head Coach Record | Won the SEC regular-season championship in 2019 |
| Assistant Coach | Yasir Rosemond |
| Team Name | LSU Tigers |
| Team Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Team Home Ground | Pete Maravich Assembly Center |
| Team Home Ground Location | LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Recent Performance | Defeated Oklahoma to end a seven-game losing streak |
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What You'll Learn
LSU Tigers men's basketball team history
The LSU Tigers men's basketball team, currently led by head coach Matt McMahon, has a rich history dating back to the 1908-09 basketball season. The team's first game was a victorious 35-20 away game against Dixon Academy. Over the years, the Tigers have experienced both triumphs and setbacks, with notable coaches and players shaping the team's legacy.
In 2008, Trent Johnson made history as the first African-American head coach of a men's sports team at LSU. In his inaugural season, Johnson guided the Tigers to 27 wins, tying the third-most wins in a single season in the team's history. Johnson's impressive start earned him the 2009 consensus SEC Coach of the Year award, and he became a finalist for four national coach of the year honours.
However, the subsequent two seasons fell short of the initial success, with the Tigers winning only 5 conference games in total across those two years. In 2012, a new chapter began for the team with the appointment of Johnny Jones as the 21st head coach. Jones steered the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament appearance in six years during the 2014-15 season, although they narrowly lost to North Carolina State in their opening game.
The LSU Tigers men's basketball team plays its home games on campus in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The arena concourse celebrates the team's history, with quadrants dedicated to former LSU Tiger athletes, team awards, and memorable artefacts. The team's history also includes notable figures such as Ronald Dupree, a former LSU basketball player and NBA Executive, who returned to LSU to take on a new role as Basketball General Manager.
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LSU Tigers coaches
The LSU Tigers men's basketball team has seen several coaches throughout its history, with the current head coach being Matt McMahon, who was appointed to the role in 2022.
McMahon's appointment came as something of a surprise, as he had previously been the head coach of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's men's basketball team, a position he had held since 2016. However, despite his relative inexperience at the time of his hiring, McMahon has quickly proven his worth, leading the Tigers to a number of impressive victories and becoming a popular figure among the team's fans.
Prior to McMahon, the Tigers were coached by Will Wade, who led the team from 2017 to 2022. During his tenure, Wade helped to improve the team's performance and led them to several notable victories. However, he ultimately resigned following allegations of misconduct and potential NCAA violations.
Other notable coaches in the team's history include John Brady, who coached the team from 2000 to 2008 and led them to the Final Four in 2006, and Trent Johnson, who took over from Brady and coached the team from 2008 to 2012. The team has also had a number of interim coaches throughout its history, who have stepped in during periods of transition or turmoil.
The LSU Tigers have a rich basketball history, and the team's coaches have played a crucial role in shaping the team's success and reputation. While there have been ups and downs, the Tigers have consistently been a competitive force, thanks in no small part to the leadership and guidance provided by their coaches.
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LSU Tigers players
The LSU Tigers have had a few notable players over the years. In 2023, quarterback Jayden Daniels played for the LSU Tigers, celebrating a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Daniels also played against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels, and celebrated a touchdown with wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. Other players include Jett Johnson, Ovie Oghoufo, Tre Harris, Harold Perkins Jr., Adam Miller, Justice Williams, Flau'jae Johnson, and Kate Martin.
Former LSU basketball player Ronald Dupree returned to the team as an NBA Executive and took on the role of Basketball General Manager.
The LSU women's basketball team has also seen success, with Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith both playing for the team. In 2023, the Lady Tigers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, with players like Alexis Morris and Jasmine Carson contributing to the win.
Tragedy struck the LSU Tigers in 2024 when former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy passed away from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound while being pursued by police.
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LSU Tigers wins and losses
The LSU Tigers men's basketball team represents Louisiana State University in the NCAA Division I men's college basketball league. The team's first season was in 1908–09, and they won their first game, an away game against Dixon Academy, with a score of 35–20. The Tigers won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) conference championship in 1917 under coach C. C. Stroud.
In the 1934–35 season, the Tigers, coached by Harry Rabenhorst, won a national championship, although this was not determined by an external selector or the outcome of a national championship-determining contest. The team has played in four Final Fours in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament.
In February 2008, LSU's head basketball coach, John Brady, was fired in the middle of his 11th season with the team. In ten and a half seasons, Brady led the Tigers to two SEC titles and four NCAA tournament appearances. Trent Johnson, the first African-American head coach of a men's sports team at LSU, was hired to replace Brady. In his first season, Johnson led the Tigers to 27 wins, tying for the third most wins in a single season in LSU history. Johnson resigned in 2012, and Johnny Jones was named the new head coach. In the 2014–15 season, Jones led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2008–09.
In 2022, Will Wade was fired as LSU coach after being accused of five Level I NCAA violations and one Level II violation. Interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry took over, but the Tigers were eliminated in the first round of the 2022 NCAA basketball tournament. Murray State head coach Matt McMahon was then announced as Wade's permanent successor, signing a 7-year deal. In the 2024-25 season, the Tigers lost seven contributors from their previous season, including five post players. Despite these setbacks, the Tigers have achieved notable wins, such as their victory over Oklahoma, where top scorer Cam Carter propelled the team to break a season-worst seven-game losing streak.
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LSU Tigers and NCAA violations
The LSU Tigers have been involved in several NCAA violations in recent years, with the NCAA investigating both the football and men's basketball programs.
2020 NCAA Investigation
In 2020, the NCAA investigated the LSU football program as part of a wider inquiry into the school's athletic programs. The investigation revealed that impermissible payments were made to players on the football and basketball teams. This resulted in LSU self-imposing a bowl ban for the 2020-21 football season as part of the penalties for the violations.
2021 Self-Imposed Penalties
In 2021, LSU worked with the NCAA on three separate potential football violations. These included a Level III violation by former Tigers receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who handed out cash to Tigers players on the field after the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship game. LSU self-imposed penalties, including a reduction of scholarships and a two-year ban from athletic facilities for Beckham Jr. Additionally, there was a more serious Level I violation involving a booster funneling $180,000 to the father of a former LSU football player. For this violation, LSU self-imposed a reduction of eight football scholarships over two years.
2022 Recruiting Violations
In 2022, the NCAA announced recruiting violations committed by former Tigers assistant coach James Cregg. Cregg was found to have met with a recruit and provided team gear during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period. As a result, LSU's football program was placed on one year of probation, and Cregg received a three-year show-cause order. LSU also self-imposed additional penalties, including a $5,000 fine and restrictions on recruiting communications and unofficial visits.
2023 Corruption Hearings
In April 2023, LSU and Kansas completed hearings for corruption cases in front of an NCAA panel. LSU's men's basketball program was charged with eight Level I violations, six of which were specific to the basketball program. These included allegations of impermissible payments to prospective student-athletes and their families. As a result, LSU fired men's basketball coach Will Wade, who was accused of multiple Level I and Level II violations. The outcome of the hearings is yet to be determined, but both schools hope for light penalties from the Independent Resolution Panel.
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Frequently asked questions
The LSU men's basketball team is called the LSU Tigers.
The current head coach of the LSU Tigers is Matt McMahon.
The previous coach was Will Wade, who was fired in 2022 after accusations of five Level I NCAA violations.
Will Wade was accused of providing impermissible cash payments to at least 11 men's basketball prospective student-athletes and their associates to enrol at LSU.
The LSU Tigers improved to 18-15 in 2011-12 and earned a berth to the NIT, but lost in the first round to Oregon, 96-76.
