Shorthanded LSU Men's Basketball falls at Tennessee

Tigers lose 10th SEC game of the season despite strong effort

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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An undermanned LSU Men's Basketball squad gave the Tennessee Volunteers a tough game, but the Tigers ultimately came up short, losing 73-63. LSU was missing two key guards, DJ Thomas Jr. and Max Mackinnon, and Tennessee dominated the paint with 16 offensive rebounds.

Why it matters

LSU has struggled this season, already racking up 10 SEC losses. The Tigers' shorthanded roster has made it difficult to compete against top conference opponents like Tennessee, raising questions about the team's ability to turn things around this year.

The details

Tennessee won the game by controlling the paint, collecting 16 offensive rebounds compared to just 8 for LSU. The Tigers were missing guards DJ Thomas Jr. and Max Mackinnon, two vital players for their backcourt. Head Coach Matt McMahon said Thomas will miss the remainder of the season.

  • The game took place on February 15, 2026.
  • LSU's next game is scheduled for February 17, 2026 at Texas.

The players

Matt McMahon

Head Coach of the LSU Men's Basketball team.

DJ Thomas Jr.

A key guard for the LSU Men's Basketball team who will miss the remainder of the season.

Max Mackinnon

Another important guard for the LSU Men's Basketball team who was missing from this game.

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What’s next

LSU will look to bounce back in their next game against Texas on February 17, 2026.

The takeaway

LSU's shorthanded roster has made it difficult for the team to compete against top SEC opponents this season, raising concerns about their ability to turn things around with key players sidelined.