The LSU men’s basketball team has a chance to hand top ranked Kentucky its first loss of the season tonight. The two teams will square off in the Maravich Center at six P-M. Coach Johnny Jones knows his players are excited, but they’ll need to be focus when the ball is tipped…

cut 16 (13) “controlled”

Kentucky is 23-0 on the season, while LSU is 17-6 and can use a high-profile victory to boost its NCAA Tournament resume.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Central Arkansas while Nicholls travels to Incarnate word.

The Pelicans had a 14-point lead in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Utah Jazz last night 100-96. Eric Gordon scored 31 and Tyreke Evans added 18 as the Pels were without Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson who missed the game due to injury.

Last night in Southland Conference basketball action, Stephen F. Austin blew past Northwestern St. 93-82. The Demons’ Jalen West lead all scorers with 28 as his team falls to 7-4 in league play. The Lumberjacks remain unbeaten in the Southland.

And UNO defeated McNeese State 81-71. Kevin Hill and Christavious Gill each had 21 to lead the Privateers, while the Cowboys were lead by Desharick Guidry and Keelan Garrett who each scored 20. Both teams now have a 3-8 conference record.

In the SWAC, Southern fell to Jackson State 62-52. The Jaguars were lead by Adrian Rodgers 15 points. The Jags fall to 8-3 in the league, two games behind conference leader Alabama State.

And Grambling remains winless in the conference after their 91-77 loss to Alcorn State. The Tigers were lead by A’Torri Shine’s 23 points. Grambling will next try for their first league win Saturday when they host Texas Southern.