LSU head coach Matt McMahon shared his thoughts following the Tigers’ 95-64 loss to Kentucky on March 4, 2025. It was a tough night for LSU, as they struggled to contain a high-powered Wildcats offense while failing to generate consistent scoring opportunities of their own. The loss marked another challenging moment in a difficult SEC season for McMahon’s squad.
After the game, McMahon was quick to credit Kentucky for their dominant performance. “I thought they had just a fantastic performance on their senior night here tonight,” he said. He emphasized that his team struggled with Kentucky’s pace of play, particularly in transition. “It’s really hard to simulate their pace of play, and in transition, they were fantastic,” McMahon noted. Kentucky’s up-tempo style created mismatches and easy scoring chances, leading to a game that quickly got out of hand.
McMahon highlighted Kentucky’s efficiency, pointing out that they recorded 22 assists while committing just eight turnovers. He praised their ball movement and teamwork, acknowledging that LSU was unable to disrupt their rhythm. On the other hand, LSU’s struggles on offense made the situation worse. Poor shot selection led to fast-break opportunities for Kentucky, allowing them to build a significant lead early on.
One standout performer for Kentucky was Otega Oweh, who scored 24 points and played a key role on both ends of the floor. McMahon was highly complimentary of Oweh’s effort, saying, “I really thought [Oweh] was phenomenal tonight… I thought he really set the tone for the game on both ends of the floor.” His ability to attack the rim and create scoring opportunities proved to be a major factor in Kentucky’s commanding victory.
Despite the tough loss, McMahon found a positive moment in the warm reception that LSU forward Daimion Collins received from Kentucky fans. Collins, who transferred from Kentucky to LSU, was met with cheers upon his return to Rupp Arena. McMahon expressed his appreciation for the class shown by Kentucky’s supporters. “Always a classy crowd here… I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to coach him,” he said.
Moving forward, McMahon and the Tigers will look to regroup as they prepare for the SEC Tournament. With the regular season nearing its end, LSU hopes to put this loss behind them and build some momentum for postseason play.
