Consider Tony Benford the anti-Conor McGregor ... cause he's here to take part, not to take over ... telling TMZ Sports no matter how well LSU does in the tournament, it's still Will Wade's team.
Of course ... The Notorious famously said "we are not here to take part, we're here to take over" at UFC Fight Night 46 back in July 2015.
The Tigers' interim head coach sees things the exact opposite ... telling us the suspended coach deserves all the cred if Benford leads the Purple and Gold deep into the tournament.