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Providence’s Ben Bentil Headlines College Basketball’s Unsung Heroes

By Nathan Giese

Dec 9, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers guard Keith Hornsby (4) is introduced before the game against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers guard Keith Hornsby (4) is introduced before the game against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Keith Hornsby, LSU Tigers

Ben Simmons and Tim Quarterman get the pub, but it was the return of Keith Hornsby to the lineup that really helped open up the floor for LSU.

Though he’s not the incredible scoring threat he was last season (single-digit scoring outings in five of his last nine games) Hornsby’s ability to shoot the ball and draw another defender away from the basket for Simmons and Craig Victor has allowed both of them to be more efficient in their play as well as giving Quarterman more room to operate on the wing.

LSU was just 4-3 without Hornsby, and though the Tigers still aren’t an NCAA tournament team (10-5 with him), they’re playing better basketball. Having that shooting threat out there allows everyone else on the floor to be in a more comfortable situation with the ball.

It’s not a remarkable turnaround, but LSU has been playing better with Hornsby on the floor. It helps the entire team to have his scoring ability available as well as that veteran presence that this young team needed back in November.

Next: Rasheed Sulaimon