| Now you see Kayshon Boutte on LSU's roster. Now you don't. The one-time star Tiger wide receiver made big news Dec. 5 when he announced he would return to LSU for his senior season. Now he's decided to enter the NFL draft, which he was expected to do originally, and is opting out of Tuesday's Citrus Bowl against Purdue. It was a stunning decision to stay, made even more stunning by his decision Wednesday to leave. Boutte's departure leaves the Tigers with just four scholarship wide receivers to go against the Boilermakers and definitely changes the calculus of LSU's wide receiver room next season. Personally, I think it was a poor decision for Boutte to change his mind at this late juncture. Might wide receiver Jack Bech, who transfered to TCU, have stayed if Boutte had turned pro earlier this month as expected? The Tigers did get former five-star Aaron Anderson to transfer from Alabama for the 2023 season, a move that now looks even bigger. Boutte's departure casts a spotlight on where LSU's roster is going into the Citrus Bowl, with some positions getting dangerously thin. Our Wilson Alexander is in Orlando and he breaks down LSU's roster situation while waiting in line for Space Mountain. Back in Baton Rouge, Wednesday night was opening night of SEC men's basketball play with the Tigers hosting No. 9 Arkansas. An artistic gym gem it was not, but a defense-dominated thriller it was, with LSU pulling off the 60-57 upset as the Pete Maravich Assembly Center roared with delight. LSU is now 12-1 under first-year coach Matt McMahon, and perhaps destined to be ranked next week. The LSU women's basketball team, also ranked No. 9, is on the road to open SEC play Thursday at No. 24 Arkansas. Their game tips off at 6 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2. In my column, I ask the question everyone is asking, including coach Kim Mulkey: Just how good is this LSU team, really? Well, that's all for now. Got a backup flight to my very iffy Southwest Airlines flight to Orlando on Friday, so hopefully I'll be joining Wilson on the scene to report on all the Citrus Bowl doings. Wish me luck getting there and finding a soft serve Dole Whip upon landing. Until next time, Scott Rabalais | 