Tiger Basketball Team Kicks Off Season Wednesday at Maravich Center

The LSU Tigers are set to commence their 2025-26 men’s basketball season on Wednesday night against the Tarleton State Texans. The game will take place at 7 p.m. in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Tiger Basketball Team Season Opener Details

Tickets for the game are available for purchase at LSUTix.net and at the Maravich Center’s upper concourse ticket windows, which will open at 6 p.m. on game night. LSU students can attend for free with a valid student ID.

Beat the Buzzer Promotion

This game marks the first of the Beat The Buzzer nights. Fans can enjoy a 50 percent discount on select food, drinks, and beer from the time the gates open until 10 minutes before tipoff.

Broadcast Information

The game will be aired on the LSU Sports Radio Network, featuring the “Voice of the Tigers” Chris Blair alongside former LSU head coach John Brady. Additionally, it will be streamed on SEC Network+, where Lyn Rollins and Victor Howell will provide commentary.

Coach Matt McMahon’s Expectations

Coach McMahon expressed excitement about the upcoming season. He emphasized the importance of creating a vibrant atmosphere at the PMAC, with five home games scheduled within 17 days. He highlighted the team’s dedication, noting their hard work over the summer and fall.

Recent Performance

In their latest exhibition game, the Tigers secured a victory against UCF on October 26, winning 75-68. Despite trailing by seven points at halftime, the Tigers scored 46 points in the second half, demonstrating strong offensive adjustments.

• Dedan Thomas Jr. led the scoring with 16 points and nine assists.
• Mike Nwoko contributed 15 points.
• Marquel Sutton achieved a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Jalen Reed made his return from an ACL injury, playing 19 minutes and scoring six points.

Improvements Needed

Coach McMahon noted that while the performance had positives, there are areas requiring improvement. He highlighted the team’s turnover issues and the need for better transition and three-point defense.

About Tarleton State Texans

The Tigers will face the Tarleton State Texans, who recently lost to SMU with a final score of 96-76. The Texans struggled in the second half, only converting 30.8 percent of their field goals.

• Dior Johnson scored 23 points off the bench.
• Freddy Hicks added 15 points, mainly from free throws.

Tarleton State’s head coach, Billy Gillispie, is currently in his sixth season with the Texans, having previously coached at various prominent universities.

After the initial game against Tarleton State, the LSU Tigers will host UNO on the following Monday at the Maravich Center.