If you were scrolling through your feed this weekend looking for a football score, you probably got a bit of a shock. You're likely wondering who did LSU play Saturday and why the headlines aren't about a bowl game or a playoff run. Well, the short version is that the football pads are in storage, but the hardwood was heating up.
Saturday, January 10, 2026, saw the LSU men’s basketball team travel to Nashville for a high-stakes showdown against No. 11 Vanderbilt. It wasn't the result the Tiger faithful were hoping for. LSU fell to the Commodores 84-73 in what was a gritty, sometimes frustrating SEC battle at Memorial Gymnasium.
For many fans, the confusion is real. We’re used to January being the "Championship Month" for football, but the 2025 season had a different ending for the Tigers. After a 7-6 campaign that wrapped up with a tough 38-35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl back on December 27, the focus in Baton Rouge has pivoted hard toward Matt McMahon’s squad and the chaotic energy of Lane Kiffin’s first full recruiting cycle.
The Nashville Trip: What Went Down Against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is currently on a tear. They’re undefeated, and Saturday's game showed exactly why. LSU didn't just roll over, though. Max Mackinnon was basically a man possessed, dropping 27 points and trying to carry the Tigers on his back.
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But basketball is a game of runs. Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner and AK Okereke were just too much to handle in the paint. LSU kept it close in the second half, but the first-half deficit—where Vandy put up 52 points—was a mountain too high to climb. Honestly, it was one of those games where you’ve got to appreciate the effort but recognize the talent gap on the floor that day.
Why wasn't there a football game?
A lot of people are still asking about the football schedule because the 12-team playoff era has changed how we perceive the calendar. If LSU had been in the top 12, they’d be playing right now. Instead, the "Saturday game" for LSU fans has officially transitioned to the PMAC or road arenas.
The football team is currently in the middle of a massive roster overhaul. If you haven't been following the portal, you've missed a wild few weeks. Since the portal opened on January 2, Lane Kiffin has been acting like a kid in a candy store, bringing in 31 new additions as of this week.
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The Lane Kiffin Effect: Reshaping the Roster
While the basketball team was battling in Nashville, the real "action" for the football program was happening in the administrative offices. The transfer portal window is closing on January 16, and the Tigers are the talk of the country.
- Quarterback Room: LSU landed Sam Leavitt from Arizona State and Husan Longstreet from USC. That’s a lot of arm talent entering a room that needs a spark.
- The Trenches: Ja’Mard Jones, a massive tackle from Nicholls, committed just this past Thursday. He didn't give up a single sack last season.
- Skill Positions: Jackson Harris (Hawaii) and Tre’ Brown (Old Dominion) are coming in to give the offense that "explosiveness" Kiffin is known for.
It’s a weird time to be a fan. You’re watching basketball on Saturday, but you’re refreshing Twitter every ten minutes to see which SEC starter just decided to move to Baton Rouge. It’s basically "Roster Construction: The Movie," and the budget is unlimited.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
If you missed the Saturday game, don't sweat it. The schedule is packed. The basketball team is heading back to Baton Rouge for a massive "Alumni Day" this coming Saturday, January 17. They’ll be facing Missouri at 2:30 p.m. inside the Maravich Center.
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It’s going to be a big deal because they’re honoring the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Final Four team. If you're looking for that nostalgic Tiger fix, that’s the place to be.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To stay ahead of the curve, here is what you actually need to do this week:
- Monitor the Portal Close: The winter transfer window shuts on Friday, January 16. Expect a flurry of "Late Night in Baton Rouge" commitment posts. Keep an eye on Faheem Delane, the Ohio State safety transfer who has been on campus recently.
- Check the Gymnastics Schedule: If you want to see a winning Saturday (or Friday) tradition, the No. 2 ranked LSU Gymnastics team is in full swing. They play No. 8 Georgia this Friday, Jan 16, and it's a legitimate top-10 thriller.
- Secure Missouri Tickets: The Jan 17 basketball game will likely sell out because of the 1986 tribute. If you're in town, grab those now before the secondary market prices hike up.
The answer to "who did LSU play Saturday" might have been Vanderbilt on the court, but the real game is being played in the recruitment offices. The 2026 season is being built right now, one transfer at a time.