LSU Tigers: 26-6, 16-2 in the Southeastern Conference
Interim head coach: Tony Benford
Players to watch: Tremont Waters (15.1 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.0 SPG); Naz Reid (13.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 37.0 3PT%); Skylar Mays (13.4 PPG, 2.2 APG, 1.9 SPG)
Season recap: After head coach Will Wade laid the foundation of a contending program in the SEC his first year at the Tigers' helm and followed it up by recruiting a pair of top-50 prospects in Naz Reid and Ja'Vonte Smart, all eyes were on LSU as a challenger to perennial conference favorites Kentucky and Tennessee. Tragedy struck in October with the death of forward Wayde Sims, but the Tigers banded together to put together a strong season.
Although the Tigers had an admittedly easier stretch through January, LSU took care of business and stayed dominant throughout, earning seven straight wins including a comfortable 83-69 win on the road against then-No. 18 Ole Miss. Although the Tigers' hot streak ended in a one-point loss at home to Arkansas, LSU picked right back up where it left off, taking down Mississippi State and Auburn before earning a signature—albeit controversial—win at then-No. 5 Kentucky and at home against formerly fifth-ranked Tennessee.
The key to LSU's resurgence has been exceptional play from Tremont Waters and a versatile supporting cast around him. Even when Waters was out with an injury in late February, Reid, Smart and Skylar Mays stepped up to fill the offensive void. However, while the Tigers have the talent to take on any team in the country, LSU has some glaring weaknesses it must address. The Tigers are fairly poor at shooting from beyond the arc, averaging 32.3 percent from three. Coupled with a hot-and-cold defense, and LSU has had its fair share of rough outings, such as its opening loss in the SEC tournament loss to Florida.
Adversity struck at the worst time in March, though, with Wade getting suspended indefinitely due to an investigation of recruiting violations. He is unlikely to be on the sideline at all during the NCAA tournament.
How they make a run: The Tigers' core of Waters, Reid and Mays does what it has done all season and LSU carves a path through its region. With contributions from both younger players and upperclassmen, the Tigers' combination of skill and experience help LSU make a statement as a resurgent giant in the SEC.
How they falter: The Tigers' shots aren't falling and teams pack the paint to limit Waters and Mays. Contact in the paint coupled with LSU's physical style of play leads to early foul trouble and Wade's squad heads home early with a disappointing end to a stand out season.
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