LSU Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats Match Preview: Injury Report, Starting Lineup and Prediction

Since February, Lady Tigers have been on a roll maintaining their 7-game winning streak led by Angel Reese. Now, in their last home game of the tournament, LSU will be pouncing with all their strength over the trailing Wildcats. The anticipation is growing and Bayou Barbie has added sprinkles of enthusiasm with her merch giveaway to her fans in this upcoming battle.

Although the game already appears to be a cakewalk for the Tigers, let’s dig into the details on both sides.

Angel Reese pulling the final trigger

Tigers have logged in impressive form this regular season with a current record of 25 wins and 4 losses. Their collective and stellar prowess has placed them at #2 in the SEC and #9 in the AP Top 25 poll. The team did suffer injury in the initial days of the season when sophomore forward Sa’Myah Smith encountered a non-contact injury during the Cayman Island Classic, tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus in her right knee. As a result, she has been out for the remainder of the season. Since then the team has been playing without the forward.

On the other hand, Angel Reese too missed a few games initially for reasons still not disclosed, however, she made a remarkable comeback, banging down the opponents one by one. Notably, during her absence, her teammates Hailey Van Lith, Aneesah Morrow, and others held the fort with full honor. Recently, Angel Reese avenged her team by scoring double-doubles with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 2 assists in a slapback 71-66 win against Auburn.

This season basketball barbie has been averaging in double-double score with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting with a field goal percentage of 49.5%. Next up is LSU’s dynamic guard Aneesah Morrow dominating the floor alongside Reese while averaging a double-double score of 16.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, and shooting with a field goal percentage of 48%.

Some of Morrow’s remarkable performances include the recent 80-54 win against Georgia where she scored a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. The rest of the lineup consists of guards Mikaylah Williams, Flau’jae Johnson, and Hailey Van Lith. Williams has been averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 47.6% of the field goals. While Flau’jae Johnson has been scoring 13.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, and shooting with a field goal percentage of 48.3%.

Toughened up with a lot of criticism lately, Haily Van Lith has played a crucial role in keeping the team afloat in Angel’s brief absence during the season. She has performed remarkably well in transitional plays. This season she has been averaging 12.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting with a field goal percentage of 40.2%.

Read More: $1.7 Million Rich Angel Reese Lures Fans Into LSU Game With a Surprise Package From Momma

Tigers might be roaring before the showdown, but what about Wildcats?

Kentucky in a pivotal stance

Being the last one, this game holds an utterly indifferent significance altogether, posing a last chance for Wildcats not to be led to a tuck-tail situation with their messy moves. They have seen more losses (17) than wins (11) this season, placing themselves at #12 in the SEC.

Although the season did take off with a steady and winning pace for them, however, the wheels fell off their wagon in the mid-season and the rest is history since then. Carrying the team throughout the season is Kentucky’s forward Ajae Petty who has been averaging a double-double score of 14.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and an assist per game. She has been shooting with a field goal percentage of 52.5%.

Another player scoring in double figures is Kentuckly’s guard Maddie Scherr with 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game and shooting 33.6% of the field goals.

It is quite predictive to say that last season’s title defender will be taking away the win in the last staredown between the Cats.