Texas Southern at LSU

LSU opened Will Wade's return with a 100-57 win over LSU New Orleans on Tuesday, leading 53-17 at halftime with six players in double figures. Donovan Dent had 19 points and 10 assists, and Michael Ruzic scored 17 on 8-of-11 shooting off the bench. The Tigers shot 51.3 percent and outrebounded the Privateers 52-37. LSU's two exhibitions were close: a 63-60 win at McNeese State and an 89-87 loss at Florida State. Last season's team went 3-15 in the SEC under a different coach and a different roster. Texas Southern is also under a new coach. Corey Lowery made his debut Monday in a 103-79 loss to Grand Canyon, and Karris Bilal led the Tigers with 15 points in 26 minutes. Lowery was hired this summer after the previous staff left, so I have one game to judge his team on. LSU outscored LSU New Orleans 60-18 in the paint and added 30 fast-break points. Texas Southern now faces that same size and tempo with a defense that has played one game together, so LSU is the right side on the spread tonight.