It’s a little early to be talking about crucial conference games.

But two teams disappointed in their Southeastern Conference openers will try to bounce back in the Maravich Assembly Center tonight when Georgia and LSU square off.

LSU (11-3, 0-1 SEC) is coming off a disheartening 74-67 overtime loss at lightly regarded Missouri that broke an eight-game losing streak.

Georgia (9-4, 0-1) is in more desperate straits, having lost its conference opener at home to No. 23 Arkansas. The Bulldogs had a six-game winning streak broken.

It will be tough and quick turnaround for the Tigers, who played Thursday night in Missouri while Georgia has been off since losing at home 79-75 to Arkansas on Tuesday night.

The Tigers, who squandered an 11-point lead in the first half at Missouri, built an eight-point lead midway through the second half and couldn’t hold it.

The Tigers lost their shooting touch down the stretch, culminating when they scored two points in the overtime ­— those without a basket from the field while hitting 2 of 5 free throws.

At Missouri, LSU got the quick start head coach Johnny Jones had been hoping for — the Tigers led 17-6 early — but failed down the stretch, which had been a strong point for the team.

“We did a good job of getting into a rhythm and getting the lead,” Jones said. “But we didn’t do a great job once we got the lead.

“We let them back in the game and they became a confident basketball team, and as tough as they’ve been playing, they started feeling it a little and knocked down some shots.”

In the game’s final 8 minutes and overtime, LSU was 4 of 17 from the floor, 0-for-8 in the OT.

The Tigers shot a season-low 36.4 percent for the game.

LSU’s two leading scorers, the inside duo of Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin, were held to nine points apiece as both were in foul trouble much of the game.

“It was not characteristic of the team,” Jones said. “Then, on the defensive end, we weren’t as good as what we needed to be, especially trying to cover the 3-point line.”

Martin is the SEC’s leading scorer at 18.2 points per game, while Mickey came in at 16.2 ppg.

“Good shooters are able to bounce back,” Jones said. “It’s repetition in working and practicing. If you play enough games, you know you are going to have some of those nights. You have to remain positive.”

Georgia is led by Charles Mann, who averages 12.7 ppg.

“They are probably one of the most physical teams in our conference and will certainly present a great challenge for us,” Jones said. “We certainly need to be ready to be at our best and play much better than we performed (Thursday) night.”

LSU’s Jordan Mickey

L.G. Patterson