Donate a Toy, Get Free Hoops Admission on Dec. 22

Article by  Kent Lowe by LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE – LSU Basketball fans can receive a free ticket to Monday night’s LSU versus College of Charleston men’s basketball game by bringing a toy to donate for the long-running Toys for Tots Program.
The toy needs to be new and unwrapped and can be presented at the upper concourse ticket windows of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday night for the 8 p.m. tipoff of the contest between LSU and Charleston. Those presenting a toy at the ticket windows will receive a free ticket good for the Dec. 22 game only.
Also, as part of the holiday festivities, 2,000 free LSU Holiday Tumblers will be given away on game night.

Collins Named AP All-American

Article by Michael Bonnette  Photo Steve Franz
BATON ROUGE – The honors for LSU senior offensive lineman La'el Collins continued to roll in on Tuesday as he was named second team All-America by the Associated Press, the news agency announced.
Last week, Collins was named second team All-America by USA Today as well as being selected to three first team All-SEC teams. Collins, who was named LSU’s most valuable player at the teams’ annual banquet on Sunday night, also earned the Jacobs Block Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the SEC.
Collins started all 12 regular season games for the Tigers at left tackle, helping pave the way for an LSU offense that ran for 219 yards a contest. LSU rushed for 300 or more yards four times in 2014, including 384 in a 23-17 win over Texas A&M. The 384 rushing yards against the Aggies were the most by any LSU team since 1997.
For the year, Collins led all LSU offensive linemen in total snaps (792) and knockdowns (84.5).
Collins and the rest of this LSU teammates enter the second day of bowl practice today as the 23rd-ranked Tigers continue to prepare for their game against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville.

La'el Collins Named MVP at Football Banquet

Article by  Michael Bonnette Photo by:Steve Franz, LSU Athletics Staff Photographer
BATON ROUGE – Offensive tackle La'el Collins was named the recipient of the Charles McClendon Award as LSU's most valuable player here Sunday night at the annual LSU Football Banquet.
Collins, who was recently named the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the outstanding offensive lineman in the SEC, was one of many Tigers honored as LSU celebrated its 8-4 season and a No. 23 national ranking in 2014. The Tigers will go after win No. 9 on Dec. 30 against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.
Collins, who returned to LSU for his senior season, earned first-team All-SEC honors this year as well as being a second-team All-America selection by USA Today. Collins led all LSU offensive linemen in both snaps (792) and knockdowns (84.5). He didn't allow a sack all season.
The Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Award was shared by Collins and fullback Connor Neighbors. Neighbors, along with Collins, played key roles in LSU averaging 219.5 rushing yards per game.
Defensive end Jermauria Rasco and linebacker Kwon Alexander shared the Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player award for the Tigers. Alexander led the Tigers with 76 tackles, to go with 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while Rasco had the best year of his career with 63 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 4.0 sacks.
As a unit, LSU's defense led the SEC in total defense with 305 yards per game. The Tigers were also No. 2 in scoring defense in the league (16.4) and No. 2 in pass defense (162.3).
The National L-Club permanent team captains were awarded to La'el Collins and running back Terrence Magee on offense, Rasco and Alexander on defense, and punter Jamie Keehn on special teams.
Safety Ronald Martin and defensive end Danielle Hunter were named the winners of the George Wallace Memorial Award, which goes to the players who distinguished themselves by performance, leadership and commitment to the team. Martin, a second team All-SEC pick, had 66 tackles and two interceptions, while Hunter had 64 tackles, a team-best 12.0 tackles for loss and six pass breakups.
Defensive back Jamal Adams, linebacker Deion Jones, cornerback Tre'Davious White, snapper Reid Ferguson, Keehn, and linebacker D.J. Welter were named the recipients of the Special Teams Coaches Award, while linebacker Duke Riley was named the winner of the Wild Tiger Championship Trophy for accumulating the most production points on special teams coverage units.
Chad LaBorde received the Dr. Charles E. Coates Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
The Butch Duhe Award, which goes to those players who personify the idea of unselfishness, dependability and commitment to the team, was given to running back Kenny Hilliard, offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, safety Jalen Mills, defensive tackle Quentin Thomas, center Elliott Porter, linebacker Kendell Beckwith and offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins.
Other awards handed out on the banquet on Sunday night include:

Tight end Logan Stokes, tight end Travis Dickson, tight end Dillon Gordon, offensive guard Evan Washington, cornerback Jalen Collins, wide receiver Travin Dural and linebacker Lamar Louis as recipients of the Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award; Magee, Welter and La'el Collins as the winners of the Alvin Roy Strength and Conditioning Award; and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, running back Leonard Fournette, and Adams as the winners of the LSU Newcomer Award.
2014 LSU Football Awards
Wild Tiger Club (for special teams performance):
LB Duke Riley, DB Jamal Adams, LB Deion Jones, SNP Reid Ferguson, PK Colby Delahoussaye, CB Tre'Davious White, TE Dillon Gordon, P Jamie Keehn, LB Kendell Beckwith, TE Travis Dickson, RB Terrence Magee, CB Ed Paris, DB Rickey Jefferson, TE Logan Stokes, CB Jalen Collins, PK Trent Domingue
Special Teams Coaches Award:
DB Jamal Adams, LB Deion Jones, CB Tre'Davious White, SNP Reid Ferguson, P Jamie Keehn, LB D.J. Welter
Wild Tiger Championship Trophy:
LB Duke Riley
Jeff Boss Unsung Hero Award:
TE Logan Stokes, TE Travis Dickson, TE Dillon Gordon, OG Evan Washington, CB Jalen Collins, WR Travin Dural, LB Lamar Louis
Dr. Charles E. Coates, Academic Award:
DB Chris LaBorde
Alvin Roy Strength and Conditioning Award:
RB Terrence Magee, LB D.J. Welter, OT La'el Collins
Butch Duhe Award:
RB Kenny Hilliard, OL Ethan Pocic, CB Jalen Mills, DT Quentin Thomas, C Elliott Porter, LB Kendell Beckwith, OT Jerald Hawkins
George M. Wallace Memorial Award:
S Ronald Martin, DE Danielle Hunter
Newcomers Award:
DT Davon Godchaux, DB Jamal Adams, RB Leonard Fournette
National L-Club Permanent Team Captains:
Offense: OT La'el Collins, RB Terrence Magee
Defense: DE Jermauria Rasco, LB Kwon Alexander
Special Teams: P Jamie Keehn
Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Offensive Player Award:
OT La'el Collins, FB Connor Neighbors
Percy E. Roberts Outstanding Defensive Player Award:
DE Jermauria Rasco, LB Kwon Alexander
Charles McClendon Most Valuable Player Award:
OT La'el Collins

Mickey Lifts LSU Past Sam Houston St.

Article by Matt Dunaway Photo by Steve Franz, LSU Athletics Staff Photographer
BATON ROUGE – The LSU men’s basketball team continued its winning ways after its final exam break and secured its fourth straight victory behind Jordan Mickey’s 21 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks to claim a 76-67 win over Sam Houston State Saturday at the Maravich Center.

For Mickey, he was 9-of-21 from the floor. It was his fifth double-double on the season. Mickey did a majority of his damage during the opening half where he racked up 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Keith Hornsby tacked on 13 of his 16 points in the second half. He was 6-of-12 shooting highlighted by a trio of three-pointers.

Jarell Martin nearly compiled a double-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. With LSU ahead 61-58 at the 4:05 mark, Martin drained a critical three-pointer to enable the Tigers to score 15 of the game’s final 24 points down the stretch.

Off the bench, Tim Quarterman chipped in a solid all-around effort with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jalyn Patterson filled in for Josh Gray for a majority of the second half. He tacked on four points, five rebounds and three assists.

LSU has won all five games on the 2014-15 season by a margin of 11.6 points per game when the Tigers have had four players secure 10-plus points.

The Tigers (7-2) were 26-of-61 from the floor with 16 assists and 16 of its 26 field goals coming inside the paint. LSU also registered a 5-for-13 mark from three-point territory and knocked down 19-of-26 at the free throw line.

Sam Houston State (5-4) tallied a 25-for-73 shooting clip which included an 8-for-23 mark on three-pointers. The Bearkats were 9-of-15 at the charity stripe and held a 50-42 rebounding advantage. SHSU was led by Jabari Peters’ 15 points. 

LSU built a 9-4 advantage and connected on four of its first six shots during the opening four minutes of the contest. Hornsby buried a three-pointer late in the shot clock followed by Mickey jump hook, a John Odo layup and a Mickey midrange jumper on an inbounds play.

LSU misfired on nine of its next 11 shots which enabled Sam Houston State put together 17 of the next 21 points over the next 6:10 off the clock. The Bearkats grabbed a 21-13 edge with 8:39 remaining on a Kaheem Ransom three-pointer.

The Tigers regrouped and drew even at 26-26 after a Mickey bucket off a Hornsby assist. Mickey completed the traditional three-point play to vault LSU ahead 27-26 at the 3:52 mark. Mickey put the finishing touches on his 16-point half by going coast-to-coast capped by a one-handed slam as LSU would take a 34-31 lead going into halftime.

LSU maintained its advantage for the entire second half. Hornsby and Martin sank trifectas 38 seconds while Hornsby added another driving layup to put the Tigers up 44-36 with 16:38 left. 

Sam Houston State would get the game inside one possession four times, the latest at 61-58 with 4:05 to go which led into Martin’s three-ball from the left wing.

Martin and Quarterman tacked on layups with Quarterman’s turning into an old fashion three-point play. The Tigers would arrive at the winner’s circle, 76-67, on the strength of an 8-for-9 clip at the free throw line inside the final 91 seconds of the game.

LSU travels to UAB for its final non-conference road game on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. from Bartow Arena, and the game will be televised by the CBS College Sports Network.

The LSU Sports Radio Network also will broadcast the game on Eagle 98.1 FM in the Baton Rouge area and inside the Geaux Zone at LSUsports.net/live. Jim Hawthorne, Ricky Blanton and Kevin Ford will call the action.

Football Trio Garners All-SEC Freshman Team Honors

Article by Matt Dunaway. Photo by Madeline VeZain, LSU Photography Intern

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU safety Jamal Adams, wide receiver Malachi Dupre and running back Leonard Fournette earned spots on the All-SEC Freshman Team as announced Thursday by the league office.

The teams were voted upon by the SEC's 14 head coaches who were unable to vote for their own players. LSU's three selections were tied with Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee for the conference lead. The Tigers have had 20 players secure All-SEC Freshman-Team accolades during the Les Miles era.

Adams collected 56 tackles which is sixth on LSU's defense, and he started two of the final three games of the season. He garnered eight tackles on two occasions, most recently at Texas A&M. Adams also was a valuable member of LSU's special teams where he tallied a team-leading nine stops. He was named a captain for the ULM game, the first freshman to earn that honor under Miles. 

Dupre hauled in 14 receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns. The five TDs are the most for a LSU true freshmen receive since Michael Clayton registered six scores in 2001. He caught a season-high four passes for a season's best 120 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State. He was the first LSU player to catch two-plus TDs during a SEC opener since Josh Reed at Auburn in 2000 and is one of 10 freshmen nationally with multiple TD catches in the same game.

Fournette, a three-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree, amassed a team-leading 891 rushing yards on 176 carries and eight rushing touchdowns. His 891 yards are third most by a LSU freshman only behind Dalton Hilliard (1982 – 901 yards) and Justin Vincent (2003 – 1,001 yards). Fournette registered a quartet of 100-yard rushing games highlighted by 146 yards at Texas A&M. He also serves as LSU's primary kickoff returner and averages 126.8 all-purpose yards per game which ranks fourth in the SEC.

No. 22 LSU will make its first trip to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 when the Tigers face Notre Dame in Nashville, Tenn. Kickoff from LP Field is slated for 2 p.m. CT.

Tickets to the bowl game are on sale at www.LSUtix.net. Tickets in the lower section of LP Field, which is the home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, are $85, while club level seats are $120. All tickets include a processing fee.

For more information, call the LSU Ticket Office at 225-578-2184.

LSU men’s basketball gains victory over undefeated West Virginia

Article by Matt Dunaway Graphic By Louisiana State University.
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Josh Gray used a screen from Jordan Mickey at the top of the key and drove the lane for the game-winning layup with 7.4 seconds remaining to vault the LSU men’s basketball team to a 74-73 comeback  victory over undefeated and No. 16 West Virginia Thursday at WVU Coliseum.
LSU (6-2) survived an 18-1 run by the Mountaineers that bookended the close of the first half and the start of the second half. The comeback gave the Tigers their first road win over a ranked opponent since LSU defeated then No. 13 West Virginia 71-68 in overtime on Nov. 26, 2005.
West Virginia’s Juwan Staten, the preseason Big XII Player of the Year, misfired on a 16-foot jumper on the left elbow. After a missed tip-in attempt, LSU’s Jalyn Patterson raced out with the ball and dribbled out the remaining time on the clock. 

The Tigers were sparked by Tim Quarterman, who racked up a career-high 21 points on 8-of-14 from the floor. He also hauled in seven rebounds coupled with two blocks and two steals. With Quarterman on the floor, LSU outscored the Mountaineers by a plus 20-margin.
Jarell Martin grinded out 18 points and 14 rebounds over his 39 minutes of action before he fouled out. Keith Hornsby chipped in a season’s best 15 points and five rebounds. His fellow backcourt mate, Gray, secured a balanced seven points, seven assists and two steals.
Trailing 52-38 at the 18:07 mark of the second half, Gray kickstarted the LSU rally with a three-ball on the left baseline. The Tigers would put together an 18-4 flurry sparked by seven Quarterman points over the next 8:17 off the clock. Hornsby rattled home a triple from the right wing to knot the score at 56-56 with 9:03 remaining.
The Mountaineers regrouped to regain a 68-62 edge with 3:41 to go. Once again, LSU would dig deep. Quarterman buried a three-pointer from the right wing followed by a Mickey drive in off the spin move and finger roll layup to make it 68-67 with 2:30 left.
Down 71-67 at the 1:32 mark, Martin got a putback layup to draw the Tigers back within one possession. Then, Hornsby knocked down a trifecta on the right wing to give LSU a 72-71 with 30.4 seconds to go.
Six seconds later, West Virginia connected on two free throws to go back ahead by one point to set the stage for Gray’s game-winner.
LSU led for a majority of the first half and led by six points on multiple occassions. The Tigers relied heavily on Martin and Quarterman who combined for 24 points after Mickey was saddled with a pair of fouls two minutes into the contest. Martin nearly tallied a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.  
Staten picked up 11 of his team-leading 17 points for West Virginia during the first half. The Mountaineers also received 13 points from Daxter Miles Jr. and 12 points from Tarik Phillip, respectively.
West Virginia held the Tigers without a field over the last 2:34 and scored eight of the last nine points to take a 43-38 advantage into halftime.
Following LSU’s final exam break, the Tigers will return to the hardwood against Sam Houston State on Saturday, December 13. Tip time is slated for 6 p.m. from the Maravich Center, and the game will be televised nationally by the SEC Network.
The LSU Sports Radio Network also will broadcast the game on Eagle 98.1 FM in the Baton Rouge area and inside the Geaux Zone at LSUsports.net/live. Jim Hawthorne, Ricky Blanton and Kevin Ford will call the action.

LSU Women's Hoops to Take on Louisiana Tech

Posted by Louisiana Gazette. Photo by:Steve Franz, LSU Athletics Staff Photographer
BATON ROUGE – The LSU women’s basketball team returns to the hardwood and faces off with Louisiana Tech Wednesday evening as the Lady Tigers play their final game before a 10-day break for final exams. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:02 p.m., and the game will be nationally televised by the SEC Network. Louisiana Tech (2-2) has split its opening four games on the season and collected road victories over Stephen F. Austin and Alabama A&M. The Lady Techsters are coached by Tyler Summitt, son of Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt. Whitney Frazier has garnered a team-leading 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She has connected on 42.0 percent of her field goals. JaQuan Jackson has chipped in 10.8 points and 2.2 assists per game. “After our trip to Mexico, we wanted to get back to the United States. We’ve had three very intense practices since returning,” head coach Nikki Caldwell said. “We’ve been very competitive in our practice. We’ve seen a lot of great strides as far as getting better in some areas that have challenged us. I feel as though offensively we’ve done a nice job in being more efficient in the half court which is an area that we’ve struggled in. Defensively, we’ve really worked at changing up our defense and being very consistent on our full court pressure as well. We feel like that has been a strength of ours. We’re looking forward to finally getting back to action tomorrow against a very good Louisiana Tech basketball team.”

Volleyball Draws Oklahoma in NCAA Tournament

Article by Clyde Verdin Photo by Kyle Zedaker, LSU Athletics Student Photographer
BATON ROUGE, La. – After closing out the 2014 regular season winning 14 of their final 15 matches, the LSU volleyball team did not have to wait long to hear its name called Sunday night, earning a bid to the 2014 NCAA Volleyball Championship, traveling to Eugene, Ore., to take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the first round.
Taking place on campus sites Dec. 4-6, the Tigers are in the part of the bracket that leads to Minneapolis as one of the four predetermined sites for the regional semifinals and finals, but first will head to the Pacific Northwest as the host Ducks will welcome the Tigers, Sooners and Santa Clara Broncos for the first two rounds of competition.
“It’s always great to hear your name called and it pops up on the screen,” head coach Fran Flory said. “This is a very tough regional with some very strong teams, and we are looking forward to the challenge. We are very familiar with them and it should be a very good group of matches.”
LSU, finishing third in the Southeastern Conference with a 19-8 overall record and 14-4 league mark, will meet the Sooners, the second place team out of the Big 12 Conference with a 20-10 mark and 10-6 conference record. The last time the two teams faced off against one another was in 1999, as the Tigers currently hold a 7-3 all-time record against OU in program history.
The winner of the LSU-Oklahoma match will face the winner of the 10th-ranked Ducks and Broncos, which will take place at 9 p.m. that night. This side of the bracket also features No. 7 North Carolina, Hampton, Costal Carolina and Southern California, as the winner of that sub-regional will be waiting in Minnesota in the first of two matches there.