Atlanta – Big Baby became “Whoa, baby!” Saturday when Louisiana State’s Glen Davis, a 6-foot-9, 310-pounder with nimble feet and a funny nickname, buried a jumper from the top of the key for three of the biggest points in LSU basketball history.
The 70-60 overtime victory over No. 2 seed Texas in the Atlanta Regional final sends fourth-seeded LSU to only its fourth Final Four, its first trip since 1986. Davis, who scored a game-high 26 points, put the Tigers up 59-52 with 3:03 remaining in the extra period.
“(Davis) draws a lot of attention,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “It’s his skills that impress you. He can shoot it with three guys around him. But he also has a feathery touch.”
If Texas wasn’t already dead at that point, the Longhorns were certainly discouraged. It was only the sixth 3-pointer of the season for Davis.
But he didn’t hesitate to let it fly when no Texas defender came out to challenge.
“It’s called ‘thinking without thinking,’ that’s what I call it,” Davis said. “The opportunity was there to make the shot. Usually when I shoot 3s, I’m thinking too much. I was in rhythm and I made it.”
Long, athletic and relentless, LSU (27-8) played just as well – or better – at the defensive end. Texas (30-7) didn’t score its first field goal in overtime until almost four minutes had elapsed. By then it was too late. The Longhorns still trailed by six points after the 3-pointer by freshman guard A.J. Abrams with 1:08 left.
“We didn’t execute the first two possessions (of overtime),” Barnes said. “We got a little discombobulated.”
After LSU made 7-of-9 free throws in the final 59 seconds, the Tigers were ready to party. Native Louisianans, who comprise the entire starting lineup, know how to party.
Freshman forward Tyrus Thomas, who finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, raced around the court for a victory lap. His fellow homeboy starters, who grew up within a 50-mile radius of Baton Rouge, danced in the Georgia Dome bleachers.
Davis hugged his mother, who has become an inspiration to him through her longtime battle with drug addiction.
That togetherness served the Tigers well on the court, especially on the defensive end. Texas sophomore forward LaMarcus Aldridge, a 6-10, 237-pounder who is projected to be an NBA lottery pick whenever he decides to turn pro, was bumped out of the paint by Thomas, Davis and whoever else was around to help.
Aldridge had to settle for turnaround jumpers from 12 to 15 feet and even had to arc those with a higher trajectory to clear the outstretched arms of LSU’s shot swatters. Aldridge hit just 2-for-14 from the field. His teammates had trouble, too.
Concerned that any shot inside the 3-point arc might get batted away, Texas shot just 30.4 percent for the game, including 18.2 percent in the overtime period.
LSU’s length changed shots and altered Texas’ mental state. Every Longhorn scorer was pushed out of his comfort zone.
The only Longhorn to shoot a decent percentage was reserve forward Mike Williams. He took two shots and made one. Texas’ top scorer, guard Daniel Gibson (15 points), went 5-for-12 from the field.
“People are going to talk about LaMarcus’ (struggles), but where LSU does an unbelievable job is on the perimeter,” Barnes said. “They did a great job of fighting through screens and being there on the catch.”
It’s hard to imagine any team still alive in the NCAA Tournament playing better defense than LSU. No surprise that it’s a team concept.
Thomas and Davis live together. They have known each other since they were 10.
“We’re like blood brothers,” Thomas said. “We just have a mentality that we’re not going to lose. If you beat us, you’re not going to have more fight than us or have more heart.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
