One of the most important aspects of LSU’s early-season success has been the development of its freshmen.

The young players figure to get significant playing time when the Tigers (10-2) play their final nonconference game against Mississippi Valley State (2-10) on Sunday in Baton Rouge, La.

Redshirt freshman forward Corey Chest has had 10-plus rebounds in the last six games. True freshmen Vyctorius Miller (a team-high 17 points), Curtis Givens III (seven points, five assists, zero turnovers in 18 minutes) and Robert Miller III (four points, seven rebounds, three blocks in 18 minutes) were significant in a second-half surge during LSU’s 86-70 victory against visiting New Orleans on Dec. 22.

“I was really pleased with how the freshmen performed there and got us out to the 24-point lead,” said LSU coach Matt McMahon, whose team begins SEC play Jan. 4 at home against Vanderbilt.

The Tigers struggled to a 30-29 halftime lead before posting an 18-0 run to take command.

Miller, the team’s third-leading scorer (11.3 points per game) and No. 3 shooter from 3-point range (33.3 percent), is averaging 20 minutes off the bench, while Givens and Miller III are averaging about 13 apiece.

LSU opened last season with a 106-60 victory against Mississippi Valley State, and the rematch figures to be similarly lopsided. The Delta Devils have home victories against a Division III opponent and an NAIA opponent. Their 10 losses have come against Division I opponents on the road by an average margin of 42.1 points.

Coach George Ivory said he’s trying “to change the culture” around a program that finished 1-30 last season and hasn’t had a winning record since 2011-12, which also was the last time it had a winning record in the SWAC.

Arthur Tate is the only Delta Devils player averaging double figures in scoring (11.0 points). Antonio Sisk led the team with 15 points in its most recent game, a 93-48 loss at Tulsa on Dec. 21.

–Field Level Media