Ben Simmons' hopes of leading Louisiana State University to US college basketball's end-of-season tournament have taken another hit with a loss to South Carolina.
The 19-year-old from Melbourne had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, but failed to dominate a crucial game for the inconsistent LSU.
South Carolina ran away with the 94-83 victory in Columbia on Wednesday, handing LSU their ninth loss of the season.
Just hours earlier Joe Castiglione, the chairman of the NCAA men's basketball tournament selection committee, put LSU on notice, telling them "every game counts".
Just 68 college teams play in next month's knockout tournament.
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LSU slumped to a 15 win, nine loss record and lost their place at the top of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) after the defeat in South Carolina.
Simmons suffered early foul trouble and sat out eight minutes of the first half.
He scored 15 of his points, including two dunks, in the second half.
South Carolina, featuring guard PJ Dozier, the nephew of former Newcastle Falcons NBL star Terry Dozier who played against Simmons' father and Melbourne Tigers centre Dave in the 1990s, improved to a 21-3 record.
Castiglione said injuries to two of Simmons' key support players earlier in the season, Craig Victor and Keith Hornsby, would be taken into account when deciding if LSU would be included in the NCAA tournament.
"As we've said in a variety of different ways, every game counts," Castiglione told reporters.
"We know that they are back healthy now, and as they complete the remainder of the season, their full profile will be evaluated and determined if they're going to continue to play in March."
LSU have just six games left, with Saturday's home contest against SEC rival and 15th ranked Texas A&M a big chance for Simmons' squad to win favour with the selection committee.
