LSU men\u2019s basketball made head coach Will Wade\u2019s return to the PMAC dramatic. A back-and-forth game ended with Donovan Dent and Mo Dioubate\u2019s electric final baskets, putting LSU over UCF 85-81.<\/p>\n
The Tigers played even fewer guys than they did in their last exhibition at McNeese, only putting six guys on the floor. Wade once again kept his starters in for almost the entire game.<\/p>\n
It looks like we haven\u2019t seen much from LSU, but the Tigers have bested two teams who made the 2026 NCAA tournament. Here are four takeaways from LSU\u2019s second exhibition and Wade\u2019s homecoming.<\/p>\n
Confi-Dent guard play will take LSU\u2019s offense far<\/p>\n
UCLA transfer and newly-eligible fifth year point guard Donovan Dent didn\u2019t have a great first showing in an LSU uniform. Against UCF Wednesday, almost all of his first-half stats exceeded his game totals from last week\u2019s game at McNeese.<\/p>\n
\u201c[It\u2019s] just kind of keeping that mindset, like, you know you\u2019re a good player, and just staying in the routine, staying consistent in what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Dent said.<\/p>\n
Dent, who scored 21, assisted 11 and grabbed nine boards, played a fluid game on both ends of the court. After a slow first few minutes, LSU was able to move well on the offensive end in his direction. He also flew around on defense, having three steals, three blocks and closing quick on 3-point shots.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he was really engaged tonight,\u201d Wade said. \u201cHe drew 13 fouls. He basically fouled two guys out himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
His increased aggression showcased him as the show-runner he was at UCLA.<\/p>\n
Behind him, Michigan State transfer Divine Ugochukwu and Kansas State transfer Abdi Bashir Jr. have offered solid supplemental help.<\/p>\n
Bashir\u2019s 3-point shooting ability is what made him an attractive grab for the Tigers. Wade told reporters Tuesday that the staff would \u201ctrust his shot,\u201d and Bashir righted his wrongs. He made 6-of-12 shots behind the arc against UCF.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just got back in my routine,\u201d Bashir said. \u201cThe McNeese game was my first game back, probably since January, so I kind of had to get my feet back under things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second half upturn that Bashir had against UCF displayed his game-swinging ability, as he scored a team-high 26 points.<\/p>\n
Ugochukwu had a slow first half Wednesday after a big game from the field against McNeese. He was LSU\u2019s point guard for less than two minutes in the first half. Wade was quick to sub Dent back in when Ugochukwu had some trouble managing the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cDivine\u2019s played some point guard, and he\u2019s somebody that we have a lot of belief in,\u201d Wade said. \u201cHe\u2019s somebody that\u2019ll play point guard for us as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
He found success setting screens and moving UCF\u2019s big men out of the way for Dent and Michael Ruzic.<\/p>\n
Ruzic is key to success all over floor<\/p>\n
20-year-old Croatian freshman Ruzic is one of the youngest members of the Tigers, but his experience against pros overseas has him looking like a veteran.<\/p>\n
The 7-footer is LSU\u2019s only big man to see the floor so far this preseason due to eligibility issues. Even while facing cramps and general exhaustion, Ruzic has been his guards\u2019 go-to for dump-offs in the paint.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been awesome,\u201d Wade said. \u201cStretched the floor early, hit the transition three, can drive. He just sets great screens.\u201d<\/p>\n
LSU beat UCF in the paint primarily with the help of Ruzic. The Tigers scored 36 points in the paint to the Knight\u2019s 34. He also opened up the offense with his continuous screens, being rewarded with his team making 10-of-26 deep shots on the night.<\/p>\n
Ruzic was LSU\u2019s most reliable defender.<\/p>\n
Clean paint protection by LSU\u2019s Michael Ruzic.<\/p>\n
The 7-footer is the only center playing vs. UCF and only has 2 fouls in 27 minutes https:\/\/t.co\/gwIxFqhATB<\/p>\n