Now the real challenge begins.
LSU women’s basketball welcomes Tennessee (16-7, 8-0), one of three teams undefeated at halftime in the Southeastern Conference game, to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for a big matchup Monday (6 p.m. ESPN2).
Despite coming in fresh after an 84-67 home loss to No. 5 UConn, the Lady Vols are undoubtedly the toughest opponent No. 3, LSU (20-0, 8-0), who have gone through 20 games this season, and it’s not particularly tight.
The final game for the Tigers in Alabama was reportedly their toughest game yet in terms of NET rankings as the Crimson Tide were in the low 20s. Kim Mulkey’s team easily handled the tide on the road 89-51 to extend the program’s longest winning streak and best start to 20-0.
LSU MATCHING UP WITH LADY VOLSLSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey: We’re not supposed to beat Tennessee, South Carolina
ANGEL REESE WANTS A STATUE“I want a statue:” LSU basketball transfer Angel Reese isn’t apologizing for anything, and no one has stopped her from doing so yet
LSU, SOUTH CAROLINA LAST OF THE UNDEFEATEDLSU, South Carolina, the last two undefeated teams in women’s collegiate basketball
To be honest, LSU was an absolute matchup problem for Alabama, which isn’t as big as LSU in Angel Reese and LaDazhia Williams.
And that’s what Tennessee is for the Tigers, a matchup problem, Mulkey said this week.
LSU women’s basketball must include Lady Vols’ Jordan Horston
Senior forward Rickea Jackson has been a force for Tennessee since the beginning of SEC games and is the team’s top scorer at 17.8 points per game.
But for LSU, the defensive focus must be on senior big guard Jordan Horston, who is the Lady Vols’ second-best scorer with 15.7 points. Horston, who is 6-foot-2, presents a nightmare of matchup for Mulkey’s smaller perimeter guards. Against UConn on Thursday, Horston recorded 27 points in the loss.
Freshman Flau’jae Johnson is LSU’s biggest winger at 5-11 and has a lot of strength with her physique, but it probably won’t be up to her to protect Horston. Mulkey will likely opt for more experience and seniors Alexis Morris and Jasmine Carson will both be tasked with holding off Horston, who with her combination of size and skill can take over a game.
Angel Reese needs a big performance for national player of the year call
Reese ranks fifth in scoring (23.7) and second in rebounding (15.5) in women’s college basketball, but those around the Top Player honors believe she did so against underperforming competition .
Tennessee offers the LSU sophomore star an opportunity to calm some doubters about her affiliation with the debate.
Where Reese excels best at offensive rebounding and the Lady Vols as a team, led by Horston and Jackson, rebound well and get to the offensive glass with a high clip.
Outcome Prediction
LSU 61, Tennessee 57: Reese cements her National Player of the Year credentials with a mighty performance to lead LSU over the Lady Vols.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his coverage of Tigers and Cajuns on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Have questions about LSU/UL Athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at [email protected].