New challenges await LSU, Drake in Emerald Coast Classic

It will be new territory for LSU and Drake when they meet Friday night in the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Fla.LSU (5-0) will be leaving home for the first time this season.Half of the victories for Drake (4-2) have come against opposition from outside of Division I, and Friday will mark the first time the Bulldogs meet an opponent from a power conference this season.LSU beat Omaha 99-73 last Friday in its most recent game, continuing a stretch of exceeding 90 points in every game this season. Max Mackinnon reversed some of the Tigers’ recent long-range shooting woes by hitting six 3-pointers.”We only made five 3s and were 25% (on 3-pointers),” LSU coach Matt McMahon said of a recent three-game stretch. “I know we’re a much better shooting team than that. I think it was just shooting with confidence, unselfish play and good execution.”All of LSU’s scoring might be distracting from what’s happening at the other end of the court.”We’re definitely going to work on our defense and rebounding,” Tigers guard Dedan Thomas Jr. said.It will be a stark change in competition levels for Drake, which defeated Division III Buena Vista 98-52 last Friday.

Video Highlights