Alabama basketball vs. LSU Tigers: Scouting report, score prediction

Alabama basketball is fresh off another game of turnover struggles, and it won't get any easier in the final game of the regular season.

The Crimson Tide was upset by Texas A&M, one of the best in the country in steals, on Wednesday. And now it will face LSU, which is the best in that category.

The Tigers lead the nation with 11 steals per game. They're No. 6 in turnovers forced per game (17.83), right ahead of the Aggies (17.63).

That doesn't bode well for an Alabama team that has averaged 17.3 turnovers per game over the past three games.

The Crimson Tide (19-11, 9-8 SEC) will look to give the ball away less when it faces LSU (20-10, 8-9) on Saturday (11 a.m., CBS) in Baton Rouge.

Here's a look at LSU and a score prediction.

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LSU's season

The Tigers started the season strong, but losing six of seven SEC games at one point kept the Tigers from competing for a conference title.

LSU broke out of that slump with three straight wins in February, but now the Tigers have lost three of their last four. The latest was a one-point loss to Arkansas.

KenPom and the NET rankings still favor LSU. KenPom has the Tigers ranked No. 17, sitting at No. 92 in offensive efficiency and No. 5 in defensive efficiency. By comparison, Alabama is No. 22, 12th in offensive efficiency and 94th in defensive efficiency.

LSU is No. 16 in NET rankings with a 5-7 Quadrant 1 record and 9-9 record in the first two quadrants. Alabama is No. 25 with a 7-7 Quad 1 record and 13-9 mark in the first two quadrants.

LSU's best wins are against Kentucky and Tennessee. The Tigers lost both rematches and have lost to Auburn once and Arkansas twice. LSU also dropped games against Vanderbilt, South Carolina and TCU.

The first matchup

Alabama had 17 turnovers in the first matchup, but LSU had 20.

Alabama went on to win 70-67 as Keon Ellis knocked down some late free throws.

The Crimson Tide held a double-digit lead in the second half, but LSU battled back within one after Brandon Murray hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left. Then Ellis closed the game out.

Alabama's Jaden Shackelford and LSU's Tari Eason each scored 26 points. Eason also had 10 rebounds.

This was also the game in which Alabama's Juwan Gary suffered a facial contusion after Eason elbowed him in the face. Gary had to leave the game and played with a face mask for a stretch during the season.

Players to watch

Eason will need to be a point of emphasis for the Crimson Tide's defense. He's third in the SEC in shooting percentage (52%) and tied for fifth in points per game at 16.8. He isn't a starter, but he plays like one.

Alabama will also face Xavier Pinson. The guard missed time in January with an injury and did not face the Crimson Tide. He's fifth in the conference with 4.6 assists per game.

Alabama basketball vs. LSU score prediction

LSU 72, Alabama 68: Facing a team that forces turnovers just as well, if not better, than Texas A&M does not bode well for the Crimson Tide. Unless Alabama figures out its issues with turnovers, this will be another SEC loss.

Contact Alabama reporter Nick Kelly: nkelly@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball vs. LSU Tigers scouting report, score prediction