Johnny Jones thought LSU 'came out ready to play' in 33-point loss

LSU probably wasted the most talented roster its had in years, but it wasn't for a lack of effort, according to head coach Johnny Jones.

"I thought our guys came out ready to play," Jones said after his Tigers were dismantled 71-38 by Texas A&M in the SEC semifinals Saturday. "Unfortunately for us, we got stuck on nine."

'Nine' refers to the last point LSU scored before going the next 13 minutes without one during an awful stretch in the first half. An early 9-6 lead turned into a 35-13 halftime deficit, while the the Tigers' NCAA tournament hopes hung in the balance.

Jones, however, told the SEC Network broadcast during his halftime interview that he thought his squad was playing with "great energy."

Jones' confusing assertions aren't unlike the confusion LSU often played with this season. Critics of Jones and the Tigers frequently pointed to the questionable use of freshman phenom Ben Simmons, especially late in games, as well as predictable offensive sets, poor defensive efforts, and a lack of cohesion among players.

With Simmons - Jones' prized recruiting coup - almost certainly headed for the NBA draft, the fourth-year Tigers head coach could soon find himself on the hot seat.