Will Angel Reese Go Big? LSU Lady Tigers vs Missouri Tigers Match Preview – Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction

The Louisiana State University Lady Tigers will battle it out against the Missouri Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday. While the LSU enter the game with a 13-1 tally after defeating the Jacksonville in their last game, the Missouri have a 9-4 record in the SEC.

The match will be exciting to watch for the LSU fans.

Players to Watch

The Lady Tigers forward Angel Reese will be a sure player to watch after she besotted the game’s second-highest 17 points against the Jacksonville. These games are perfect for Reese to rack up some big points since they are taking place at her home court. Other than that, it will be a perfect opportunity for the head coach Kim Mulkey to send strong signals at the start of the new year. 

Another player to watch from the LSU roster will be their guard Flau’jae Johnson. Johnson outdid herself in the last game against the Dolphins, besotting a game-high 20 points. This is an opportunity for her to get back at the hardwood and leave the holidays behind. This match is sort of a trumpet call for the LSU that serious things lie ahead for them this year. 

Overall, Johnson has been a delight to watch with an average of 12.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per match. She did well stepping up in the last game and if the LSU want to have a good outing in the knockouts, they will have to test and work on their bench strength.

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For the Missouri, their forward Hayley Frank has been quite a star this year, thrashing an astounding 16.2 points per game in the 13 contests she has played so far. Other than that, she also leads the list in terms of rebounds and blocks nabbing 7.4 per contest and 0.8 per match. If the Missouri are to make a difference, then Frank will have to be at her best.

Head to Head

As per LSU website, the Missouri played at Baton Rouge during Mulkey’s first season and were defeated by an 87-85 margin. Last season too, the LSU locked horns with the Missouri and trumped them by a comprehensive 77-57 margin. This game too is at the LSU and they already have a team full of star players.

It will be interesting to witness the coveted clash and how the Missouri handle their players in this match.

Prediction

The match looks to be bent in the LSU’s favor. However, it is a good opportunity for the Missouri to redeem themselves of their last two losses against the LSU in the previous seasons.

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Much will depend on how they penetrate the LSU’s defense and how LSU creates space for themselves. Overall, an interesting start to the new year.