Points are coming easily for LSU basketball.
After scoring 96, 93 and 98 in its first three games, coach Matt McMahon’s team has accomplished something to start a season that hasn’t happened in more than three decades.
LSU scored 90 points or more in the first three games for the first time since the 1990-91 season. Then-coach Dale Brown's team kept that streak going for nine games behind sophomore Shaquille O’Neal, who led the Southeastern Conference in points (27.6), rebounds (14.7) and blocks (5.0) that season.
This iteration of the Tigers will have a good chance to continue their 90-point scoring streak when they face Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly.
LSU is also winning games by an average margin of 29.4 points, which ranks second in the SEC. Four SEC teams, including LSU, haven’t played a power-conference opponent yet, but the style in which McMahon’s team is succeeding against lesser competition is worthy of analysis.
The team is frequently playing uptempo. After most missed shots and some makes, LSU is getting past the half-court line quickly. Its conductor is pass-first point guard Dedan Thomas, who is averaging 13.3 points and 7.3 assists (tied for eighth in the country).
LSU guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (11) drives the ball up court in the first half against Florida International on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
“The ball is going to be in his hands and trust him to make the decisions,” McMahon said about Thomas after the season opener. “Teammates love playing with him. I'd love to play on his team. He's gonna get you the ball right where you need it.”
The junior transfer from UNLV said the fast-paced style of play is what McMahon preached throughout the offseason.
The LSU Tigers huddle before heading into the locker room before the game against New Orleans on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
“Coach has been really encouraging us to push the ball, get downhill, just play with pace,” Thomas said after the season opener. “He don't want to call that many plays this year. He doesn't want to slow the game down possession by possession. He really wants to get out and run.”
Thomas doesn’t want to take all the credit for the offense’s proficiency because he has teammates who are skilled at putting the ball in the basket. LSU has five players averaging at least 12 ppg. The leading scorer is center Mike Nwoko at 17.3 ppg.
“It's like a breath of fresh air playing with them,” Thomas said. “Everyone knows how to make plays. Everyone's about winning. Everyone can do a lot of different things. So I mean, they make it easy on me. They hit open shots. They make plays on their own. They get me open.”
McMahon said games against Tarleton State in the season opener and Florida International were scheduled with intentionality. McMahon wanted his team to play teams adept at forcing turnovers, which was a weakness last year.
Tarleton and FIU were among the best 27 teams at forcing turnovers per game last season.
LSU had a combined 30 turnovers in those games, which is an area the Tigers have “got to get better at,” McMahon said.
The Tigers hope fewer turnovers will fuel their fast offensive start even more.
