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LSU bypasses postseason tourney play

Staff Report

LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones announced late Sunday afternoon that the Tigers will not participate in a postseason tournament this year.
“We will be able to utilize this time to get better and start preparations for next season,” Jones said in a press release. “We fell short of the mark of getting to the NCAA Tournament. I take full responsibility for this team and will do the things necessary to make sure we are able to reach one of our main goals at LSU in the future.”
Jones consulted with his staff and met with the team earlier Sunday before announcing his decision.
The Tigers would have gone into the post-season without the services of senior leader Keith Hornsby, who had season-ending surgery Tuesday after re-aggravating an internal injury suffered in November that caused him to miss the entire first month of the season.
Freshman guard Antonio Blakeney played the two Southeastern Conference Tournament games under the weather and would have been listed as questionable at best for any games this coming week.
“That also factored into our decision, but it is primarily now my responsibility to begin working and preparing our players for the prospects that lie ahead,” Jones said.
The Tigers finished 19-14 this season, including 11-7 in Southeastern Conference play in a tie for third for the second-straight year. LSU advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament and played on the final day of the regular season with a chance to tie for the regular season title.

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