The road unkind

• By NATE CARLISLE
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jan 7, 2009 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 10:08 a.m.

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SALT LAKE CITY — LSU knew Utah’s big man would be tough to stop, but a second problem crept up on the Tigers Tuesday: poor shooting.

LSU made just a third of its shots in a 91-61 nonconference blowout.

“It was an old-fashioned butt whipping,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said after the game.

Johnson also called the game “a total team collapse.” But he also said LSU (12-2) would not overreact to one loss.

The game began with some promise. LSU center Chris Johnson began the game playing in front of Ute star center Luke Nevill and had some success, holding Nevill scoreless in the first 3 1/2 minutes and allowing LSU to take an 11-5 lead.

Then Neville scored on three consecutive trips down the court to tie the game. That was the start of a 15-2 run by Utah.

Nevill became too much for LSU. He used his height and footwork to take clear looks at the basket. Nevill finished the first half with 17 points and Utah led at halftime 43-34.

Chris Johnson said the plan was to stay behind Nevill, keep him away from the basket and prevent him from turning to his left to face the basket.

“Obviously I didn’t do a very good job,” Chris Johnson said.

LSU fell further behind in the opening minutes of the second half. The Tigers shot just 22 percent from the field in the half while the ball kept going down the basket for Utah (10-5).

“We gave them too many transition buckets and drives to the basket,” said guard Marcus Thornton, “and that’s what opened up the game for them.”

Trent Johnson after the game downplayed the poor shooting and insisted the real problem was on defense. While Nevill led all scorers with 23 points, Johnson pointed out the defensive problems extended beyond him.

“We couldn’t stop their other players either,” the coach said.