LSU Basketball: Five questions before Tuesday opener

Donovan Dent averaged 19 points and seven assists across three preseason exhibition games for Louisiana State University. The 6-foot-2 guard, who previously played at UCLA, is viewed as the primary offensive engine for the 2026-27 campaign. His performance in the fall tune-ups suggests he can exceed his previous averages of 13.3 points and 7.6 assists per game. Coaches and analysts will watch whether he can maintain that pace against full-speed opponents in the Southeastern Conference.

A significant uncertainty remains regarding the starting center position. Head coach Will Wade has not finalized the decision between 20-year-old Michael Ruzic and 23-year-old Brice Dessert. Ruzic, a 7-foot center, added 15 pounds this off-season to reach 235 pounds. He demonstrated improved rebounding and defensive skills during the three preseason contests. Dessert, who weighs 255 pounds, offers a larger physical frame and more professional experience. Wade selected Dessert for the game against Florida State due to a specific matchup advantage against an opposing 7-foot, 285-pound center.

Three of Wade’s four international players are attempting to adjust to the speed of collegiate basketball. Saliou Niang and Brice Dessert played in the only official exhibition, an 89-87 loss to Florida State. Niang recorded five points on two-of-three shooting and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. Dessert contributed four points on two-of-two shooting, two rebounds, and three turnovers in 16 minutes. Mo Dioubate, a transfer from Kentucky, noted that his teammates needed time to find their rhythm in game situations, observing that Dessert struggled initially with the pace but improved in the second half.

The roster relies heavily on perimeter shooting from two specific guards. Skyy Clark made seven of 12 three-point attempts for 21 points in the Florida State game. Abid Bashi made six of 12 three-point shots for 26 points in a win over Central Florida. Both players shot at least 40 percent from beyond the arc last season. The team’s shooting depth beyond these two players is a point of concern. Ruzic shot 29.1 percent from three-point range in 47 professional games last year. The rest of the roster lacks established reputations as perimeter shooters. The team also struggled from the free-throw line, making only 45 of 76 attempts, a 59.2 percent success rate, during the preseason.

Wade aims to transform the program into a national contender rather than just a league winner. He has stated that his goal is to secure the program’s first national championship. The coach has indicated that this roster projects to be competitive at a high level. All players except Gilad Levy are eligible for the season opener. The internal staff believes the team will outperform its 14th place projection in the SEC preseason poll. The Tigers have not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since Wade’s first tenure ended in 2022. The expanded 76-team field has lowered the barrier for postseason entry.

The team opens its regular season schedule on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The opponent is LSU New Orleans. The game will take place at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. This matchup marks the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign for the Tigers. The outcome will provide the first concrete data on how the new international pieces and the center rotation function under full-game conditions.