Gee eee ay yoo ecks

GEAUX TIGERS

On Thursday night, the Mighty Tigers of LSU toppled Duke, the Great Satan. I was very happy. I still am. You would figure that with a week to prepare, Duke would be ready for LSU's scheme, tendency, and coaching strategy. And maybe they were. What they weren't ready for was LSU's players. They played tougher, harder, smarter, and looked more composed than Duke down the stretch. That rarely happens in a big game.

For three years or so, you could argue that J.J. Redick has been the most hated player in college basketball. He embodied (to some) everything about what they hate about Duke basketball. White, tough, smart, and all his shots seemed to go in. He ended his career scoring more points than anyone in ACC history and more three-point shots in NCAA history.

I don't say this to praise him, but to illustrate the greatness of the accomplishment of LSU's defense. Redick scored a season-low eleven points on 3-18 shooting. Garrett Temple was in his shirt all night long. Whenever he used a pick, they trapped him hard with two guys. Whenever he came off a screen, he had a hand in his face. Whenever he managed to get past the initial defender and went to the basket, he got bumped and banged, and LSU's shot-blockers were there to meet him. You could see frustration all over his face and in his body language. When he was taken out of the game with a few seconds to go, he was crying. Tears courtesy of LSU.

Two days later LSU followed it up with another great win over Texas. More great defense, holding the opposition's two best players--possible lottery pick LaMarcus Aldridge and Big 12 Player of the Year P.J. Tucker--to a combined 14 points on 6-25 shooting. Down early, came back, took the lead. Texas tied it off a scramble play in the last half minute or so, and into OT we go.

It couldn't have started better for LSU, as they scored the first seven points, with three coming on a dead-on three by Glen Davis. It was down to five at a point, but that was as close as Texas would get. And whaddya know? LSU is in the Final Four for the first time in twenty years. They play UCLA next Saturday, a school that's only got eleven titles or so. No problem.

A lot of attention has (deservedly) been paid to LSU's frontcourt. The 310-pound, ballerina-footed mammoth that is Glen Davis. Tyrus Thomas, who can jump out of the building (these two combined for 47 points and 22 rebounds on 21-33 shooting). And Tasmin Mitchell, who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the court to help you win. The prevailing wisdom over the last several years has been that college basketball is a guard's game. Big men worth anything leave early for the NBA, if they go to college at all. Playmaking guards are the order of the day.

LSU supposedly does it backwards. Dominating big men and serviceable guards. Total domination of the paint makes up for weaknesses elsewhere. I think this shortchanges Darrel Mitchell and Garret Temple, though they're not exactly Billups and Hamilton. They play great defense on the ball, have hit some big shots, and have done really well in late-game situations. But there's certainly no doubt that LSU's strength up front is what's carried them this far, and will continue to do so should they keep winning.