The LSU Tigers got to the Sweet 16 on their talent, but against Tom Izzo and Michigan State, the loss of Will Wade was severely felt.
Going up against a coach like Tom Izzo, the LSU Tigers needed to have their Xs and Os in perfect harmony. That’s where Will Wade would have been the great equalizer in their matchup with the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16.
No disrespect to LSU interim coach Tony Benford, but Izzo greatly outcoached him and they missed Wade.
LSU got to the Sweet 16 on their talent, but matching up against a legendary Xs and Os coach like Izzo, talent alone wouldn’t be enough to beat the Spartans. And, that was displayed in grand fashion on Friday night as the Tigers lost 80-63.
Michigan State jumped all over LSU early, but the Tigers used their talent to get back into the game and close their deficit to 12 going into the half. LSU continues to throw their best haymakers to open the second half and getting to within striking distance.
Then, Izzo’s coaching wizardry came into full focus, and the Tigers never had a chance. Michigan State absorbed LSU’s best punch, then went on an 11-0 run to put the game away. When the camera zoomed in on LSU’s bench with the game winding down, you could see the blank stares.
The Tigers simply ran out of gas, and with a coach with the pedigree of Will Wade not present to refill the tank, LSU was doomed from the start, and they knew it. We get so caught up in the excitement on the floor, that we forget about the Xs and Os that goes into every game plan.
Izzo has been doing t his for decades, and he knows how to press the right buttons and run the right plays to get over the hump. Wade does, as well, but without him on the floor thanks to a suspension, they lost a critical intangible that could have got them past Michigan State.
Talent alone can only get a team so far. Xs and Os matter as well and the Tigers certainly found that out the hard way.