From winning the silverware last year to forming another champion team, the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers clearly mean business. But a lot of critics and fans are not concerned if the LSU has performers but rather questioning the exact opposite – whether such a star team would be able to gel in with each other.
Looking at their current form, one can ascertain that the team has not only blended well together but has also resolved to repeat their past year’s glory. Much of this semblance comes from Coach Kim Mulkey’s secret sauce of success.
Not Just Paper Tigers
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The Lady Tigers have a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, and Aneesah Morrow. While the LSU acquired Van Lith and Morrow from the Louisville and DePaul, they lost one of the best guards in the form of Alexis Morris. Nonetheless, the Baton Rouge team looks good not only on paper but also in practice and is a force to reckon with.
Van Lith led the Louisville to the Elite Eight, whereas Morrow had previously been named the (2022) USBWA National Freshman of the Year for her outstanding performance for the DePaul Blue Demons. The LSU are well aware of being the prime target this season as the defending champions and are practicing hard to repeat their feat. Other than that the Kim Mulkey-coached team also has the No.1 ranked recruiting class led by signees Mikaylah Williams and Aalyah Del Rosario. The cherry on the cake is the return of sophomore player Flau’jae Johnson.
The Big 3 of the LSU – Reese, Van Lith, and Morrow – have put their hand at an average of 56 shots a game for their respective teams in the previous season. Reese averaged 23 points with 15.4 rebounds per game, Morrow was too close pocketing 25.7 points per contest and 12.2 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, Van Lith scored 19.7 points per match. The Bayou Barbie stands out with her passing game, and Van Lith compliments her by being an outstanding player of three-pointers.
New Lady Tigers
Coming to the new signees – Mikaylah Williams and Aalyah Del Rosario, Williams has propelled the national team to three gold medals in FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup from 2021 to 2023. She was also named the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year for her spectacular display of skills.
Whereas, Del Rosario has been compared to the Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker and has defied the norms of a tall player. She can handle the defenders one-on-one as efficiently as she can guard the post. Exuding a strong court vision, Rosario has impressive rebounding abilities and an air of confidence about her. She averaged double figures during each of her high school years and provided the impetus for Webb to clinch a state championship title.
Another player who brings with her a champion attitude is their guard Flau’jae Johnson. Last year she gave a season-high performance of double-doubles during a blowout win of 100-45 against the Northwestern State. The Georgia-born basketed 27 points. Averaging 11 points with 5.9 rebounds per game, Johnson was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year. She is a player to watch out for.
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The LSU have played two exhibition games and have emerged triumphant in both by humongous margins. While they decimated the East Texas Baptist by 99-26, the scoreboard read 121-36 during their contest against the Loyola (N.O.).
Most of the major players namely – Angel Reese, Sa’Myah Smith, Flau’jae Johnson, Janae Kent, Mikaylah Williams, and Aneesah Morrow reached double figures in scoring. And it was Johnson who stood out by scoring the highest points (18). Smith achieved a double-double by rebounding 12 points. The second game was filled with exemplary performances since an on-song Williams basketed the highest – 20 points. Morrow reached the double-doubles this time with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Smith once again showed her craft of rebounding with a game-high of 14 points.
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Previously Mulkey had also shared the secret sauce behind their team bond and with such stars in the lineup along with outstanding freshmen, it certainly looks that the LSU will be difficult to tackle this season.
