Alabama-LSU Preview: Budding Rivalry Extends To Basketball Court

Alabama and LSU have already squared off once this week, and the debate still rages as to who won the battle on National Signing Day. ESPN has LSU No. 1, but Rivals has Alabama No. 1.

Football can't get here fast enough, especially for Alabama, which has already fired its basketball coach this season.

LSU is enjoying a good season under first year coach Trent Johnson.

Alabama won the first meeting of the year 65-59 in Tuscaloosa.

Records

LSU 18-4, 6-1, 15-1 (home), RPI #52

Alabama 13-9, 3-5, 0-5 (away), RPI #134

Series

Alabama has won six of the last 10

LSU has won four of the last five in Baton Rouge

Players to Watch

LSU

G Marcus Thornton (19.9ppg)

F Tasmin Mitchell (15.6ppg)

G Bo Spencer (11.9ppg)

Alabama

F Alonze Gee (14.3ppg)

G Senario Hillman (13ppg)

F Jamychal Green (10.2ppg)

What LSU Must Do To Win

The Tigers played pretty good defense the first time around as Alabama shot just 38 percent from the floor.

LSU needs to bring that same level of defensive intensity again for the rematch. Trent Johnson has to find a way for his players to get to the free throw line more as LSU had just 10 attempts to Alabama's 35.

Tasmin Mitchell has to step for the Bayou Bengals as he had just 10 points and three rebounds in the loss in Tuscaloosa.

What Alabama Must Do To Win

In the first meeting of the year, the Tide forced 17 LSU turnovers and had just 10 themselves.

Also, Alabama got to the free throw line 35 times hitting 23 of those. LSU had just 10 free throw attempts in the loss.

Even though Ronald Steele was on the team at that time, he had just five points.

Alabama was paced by Hillman who had 24 points in the win. He and Gee must carry the load for the Tide against a talented LSU team.

Prediction

The win last time gave former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried a few more games, but his team has won just once since his dismissal and that was against Georgia.

LSU is playing much better now than they were a month ago and takes this one at home where they have played very well this season.

LSU wins by 10-17 points

Season: 12-13 SU through Feb. 6

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