LSU has responded to the SEC's latest reply in its ongoing lawsuit against the school, arguing the conference has failed to establish a constitutional violation and that its original concerns never materialized.
In a reply filed Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, LSU argued "this case should be dismissed" after the school did not add to its roster two former professional football players at the center of the dispute, or interfering with the SEC's Sept. 10 meeting.
LSU also challenged the SEC's First Amendment argument, maintaining the conference cannot claim forced association when it possesses the authority to terminate LSU's membership but chose not to.
"That is as free as freedom gets," the filing stated.
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LSU also accused the SEC of introducing misleading allegations involving its men's basketball program — which was first mentioned in the SEC's Oct. 13 response — in an attempt to preserve the lawsuit and wrote, "The Court should ignore that Hail Mary."
The filing disputed the SEC's interpretation of basketball coach Will Wade's comments about roster construction, pointing to his public statements promising compliance with conference rules.
"We're going to abide by what the SEC tells us to abide by," Wade said Sept. 23, according to the filing.
LSU also quoted Wade when emphasizing that a basketball player cited in the SEC's arguments had not been rostered or traveled with the team. RJ Luis, the player who was mentioned in the SEC's response, was not mentioned by name in LSU's reply. On Tuesday, it was reported Luis would not be joining the Tigers' roster.
Beyond those disagreements, LSU argued that sovereign immunity, improper venue and the absence of a viable First Amendment claim warrant dismissal.
The filing responds to the SEC's Oct. 13 opposition to LSU's motion to dismiss. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon has not yet ruled on the request.
(This story will be updated with additional information.)
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU argues SEC's lawsuit in Birmingham should be dismissed