Does Angel Reese and Co. Look Like the Defending Champions? Explore LSU Tigers’ Season Standing So Far

Before the 2023-24 women’s college basketball season began, the reigning champion LSU were the overwhelming favorites according to preseason rankings. However, unlike the Gamecocks a year ago, the Tigers aren’t seen as a sure thing. With up to eight competitors this season, it seems like there will be more competition for the NCAA trophy.

However, a resurgent Angel Reese is seen as the main spark behind the Lady Tigers’ roaring campaign. But with all the expectations and vice versa, can LSU defend their championship with their current form?

Can Angel Reese’s LSU repeat the championship?

The Louisiana State University (LSU) Lady Tigers have managed to make a name for themselves as a formidable team, having recently won a championship and forming yet another winning squad. Despite this, many supporters and critics alike are more concerned about whether such a talented team can work together as champions.

Kim Mulkey, the head coach, who is a four-time NCAA champion, has always emphasized that to win a championship, a team must be both talented and fortunate. The Tigers, who were the third seed, managed to eliminate two No. 1 teams before the possible matchup with them in the previous season. The semifinals and second round witnessed upsets from both South Carolina and Indiana.

However, the opening loss at LSU was off the charts, which gave the opposite impression. If LSU, which is currently ranked at the top, wants to win the national championship again, they have a long way to go. In the Hall of Fame Series, No. 20 Colorado beat the opposition convincingly and astonishingly by 92-78 to emphasize this point.

According to ESPN, since the 1995–96 season, when UConn lost to Louisiana Tech, the top team in the AP poll has not lost its opening game. Kim Mulkey told her players they weren’t tough enough, but LSU quickly overcame the setback and became the most successful team of the season with 14-1 as they’re in the top seed of the SEC.

The Angel Reese turmoil

Fans and followers of Angel Reese have been left puzzled and concerned about her absence from LSU games. As a star player for the Tigers, Reese’s presence on the court is crucial for the team’s success. However, coach Mulkey didn’t provide any explanation for Reese’s absence, leaving fans speculating about the reasons behind it.

It is highly unusual for a player to start missing games in the middle of the basketball season, especially without any clear explanation. Adding to the mystery, Reese had been relatively inactive on social media, with only a single message addressing her absence.

With over 378,000 followers on X, fans were eagerly waiting for more updates and clarification regarding Reese’s situation. The lack of transparency surrounding her absence had drawn unwanted attention to the LSU basketball program, despite their dominant performance on the court. But defying all odds Angel Reese bounced back to Baton Rouge as she exhibited dominance in her further performance.

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Angel Reese’s stature in winning back-to-back championships

“Our ultimate goal is to win another national championship, but personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA. While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA  dreams.” This has been the stance of Angel Resse since the beginning of the season.

Mulkey also praised Reese at one of her press conferences during the SEC media day, pointing out that she was diligently addressing her areas of weakness and honing her “mid-range” shots.

And this statement is evident that Angel Reese is grooming herself for the championship repeat as well as the WNBA entry.

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Reese has averaged an incredible 18.3 points and 10 rebounds per game in her seven outings this season. She has therefore averaged a double-double. She has a respectable 50% field goal percentage and a 70.3% free throw percentage. She hasn’t made a three-pointer in either of these games, which is alarming. But yet, the current position of Reese and LSU has strong signs of a championship repeat, like the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.