Lsu Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Texas Looks for Bounce-Back Win Against LSU

The Texas Longhorns (14-7, 3-5 SEC) are no strangers to tough competition in their first season in the Southeastern Conference. Having faced ranked opponents in seven of their last eight games, Texas finally gets a breather from Top 25 matchups as they take on LSU (12-8, 1-6 SEC) on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

However, this is not a game Texas can afford to overlook. LSU is desperate to climb out of the bottom of the SEC standings and could use a signature win to shake up their season.

Can Texas Close Out Tight Games?

The Longhorns enter Saturday’s matchup looking to rebound from a 72-69 loss at No. 23 Ole Miss on Wednesday.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, featuring 14 lead changes and 11 ties. Texas had opportunities down the stretch but could not seal the deal, which has been a problem in several close losses this season.

“It was an evenly played game down the stretch with anybody having a chance to get it done,” Texas coach Rodney Terry said. “We had really good execution to give ourselves a chance to win. We just came up a little short.”

Freshman Tre Johnson, the SEC’s leading scorer (19.0 PPG), continued his impressive season, putting up 22 points in the loss. But Texas is not just relying on its star freshman to carry the load.

“We’ve been doing it by committee,” Terry said. “We don’t just lean on Tre.”

Senior Arthur Kaluma, who missed a game due to a knee injury, returned against Ole Miss and scored 12 points while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. His presence in the lineup will be crucial against an athletic LSU team.

LSU Searching for SEC Success

The LSU Tigers enter this matchup still searching for consistency in conference play. Sitting at 1-6 in the SEC, the Tigers have lost three straight games, all against ranked opponents:

• 87-74 vs. No. 1 Auburn
• 68-57 vs. No. 11 Texas A&M
• 109-87 vs. No. 4 Alabama

Despite the tough schedule, LSU has competed well, especially on the offensive end.

Cam Carter, the Tigers’ leading scorer (17.6 PPG), poured in 24 points against Auburn and will be the primary scoring threat Texas needs to slow down.

One of LSU’s biggest struggles has been turnovers. Against Auburn, they committed 15 first-half turnovers, digging themselves into a 12-point halftime hole.

“I thought our guys competed at a high level,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “But we’ve got to find ways somehow to quit turning the ball over so much.”

LSU finished the game with 20 total turnovers, which proved too costly against the No. 1 team in the country.

However, the Tigers did find some offensive rhythm, shooting 50 percent in the second half and 47.1 percent for the game.

“When we’re at our best, we’re playing fast in transition and we’re really effective on the offensive glass,” Carter added.

Key Matchups to Watch

Tre Johnson vs. LSU’s Defense
Texas’ freshman sensation has been on a scoring tear, and LSU will need to find a way to slow him down. The Tigers allow 77.1 points per game, ranking in the bottom half of the SEC in defense.

LSU’s Turnovers vs. Texas’ Perimeter Defense
If LSU continues to turn the ball over, Texas will have a huge advantage in transition. The Longhorns thrive on creating fast-break opportunities and forcing mistakes.

Arthur Kaluma vs. LSU’s Frontcourt
With Kaluma back in the lineup, Texas has more size and rebounding strength. Can LSU match his physicality on the boards?

What’s at Stake?

For Texas: The Longhorns need to win games like this if they want to stay competitive in the SEC standings. With tough matchups ahead, they cannot afford another close loss.

For LSU: The Tigers are desperate for a win. At 1-6 in conference play, LSU is in danger of falling into the SEC basement.

Final Prediction

Texas has played well against tough competition, and Tre Johnson continues to shine. LSU has struggled to take care of the ball, and that is a problem against a Longhorns team that thrives in transition.

Look for Texas to pull away in the second half and get back on track with a solid road win.

Final Score Prediction: Texas 78, LSU 68

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Conclusion

Texas is battle-tested after facing ranked opponents nearly every week, and LSU has struggled to close out games. Can the Longhorns capitalize on LSU’s mistakes, or will the Tigers finally break through?

Tip-off is set for Saturday night in Baton Rouge.