The
Louisiana State Tigers basketball team represents
Louisiana State University in
NCAA Division I men's
college basketball. The team is currently coached by
Trent Johnson and has enjoyed recent success, including a
Final Four run in the 2005–2006 season. Past coaches include
John Brady,
Press Maravich,
Dale Brown and
Harry Rabenhorst. They play their home games in the
Pete Maravich Assembly Center located on the LSU campus in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The team participates in the
Southeastern Conference.
History
Early history (1909–1957)
In the days before the
NCAA Tournament, the Tigers won a 1935
mythical national championship by winning the American Legion Bowl (one of several mythical championships awarded that year), under head coach
Harry Rabenhorst. While this championship is not officially recognized by the NCAA since it did not sanction a tournament, LSU officially claims this championship and displays a banner in the
Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Rabenhorst also led the Tigers to the
1953 Final Four with a team that included future NBA Hall of Famer
Bob Pettit. LSU is the
only school that officially claims an American Legion Bowl championship.
Tough times (1957–1966)
Maravich's in town (1966–1972)
Pistol Pete dominated the collegiate levels at LSU. Despite averaging over 44 points per game, Pete never won a championship (SEC, NIT, or NCAA) and never played in the NCAA Tournament.
Dale Brown era (1972–1997)
In September 2007, Lester Earl...
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