Lady Tigers ranked No. 22 in AP Poll
The Lady Tiger basketball team is ranked No. 22 in The Associated Press poll, which is the first time it’s broken into the top-25 since three weeks into the 2011-12 season.
LSU coach Nikki Caldwell said although the team doesn’t pay attention to whether it is ranked or not, she’s always known her players were capable of making one of the best teams in the country.
“At the end of the day, our body of work is reflective of what the polls are saying about us,” Caldwell said.
Freshman guard Danielle Ballard said she’s happy, but she isn’t surprised about the ranking. She said this is the way LSU was supposed to be playing the entire season.
“I’m just happy to continue to be beating ranked teams and winning our games playing as a team,” Ballard said. “As long as we play as team, we’re going to continue to beat teams if they’re ranked.”
Danielle Ballard receives fifth SEC Freshman of the Week award
For the fifth time this season, the Southeastern Conference has honored Danielle Ballard with the SEC Freshman of the Week award, following back-to-back double-double performances in wins against Alabama and then-No. 13 Texas A&M.
Ballard has now earned the award more times than any other player in LSU history and leads the SEC in the number of times she’s received the honor this season.
“I broke a record,” Ballard said. “I am excited about that. I’m just honored to keep having Freshman of the Week.”
Lady Tigers finished regular season with eight players
After each practice, the LSU women’s basketball team chants, “eight is enough.”
LSU is down to eight players after the loss of sophomore forward Sheila Boykin to Guillain-Barre syndrome. With eight players, LSU has beaten No. 7 Kentucky and No. 13 Texas A&M. Caldwell said the phrase refers to accountability.
“We want them to know that each player has an important role to play,” Caldwell said. “When you look at the rest of the season, SEC and NCAA, those eight can get themselves into a championship situation.”
Caldwell also said the team has responded well to not only losing Boykin, but also freshman guard Kuaneshia Baker and the five 2012 seniors.
“Considering what we’ve been faced with … this team has really responded in a tremendous way in showing how competitive their spirit is … and more importantly, becoming a better team,” Caldwell said. “When you’re playing for something bigger than yourself, you can pretty much accomplish anything.”
