LSU does not have another chance to get back on track.
The Lady Tigers have no more media sessions to talk about what they can do to get out of their slump. The only thing left to do is act on their words.
“It’s a time for my team to actually make history or make something happen,” said freshman guard Raigyne Moncrief. “Hopefully we can just pull together and get wins.”
LSU (19-12, 7-9 Southeastern Conference) will try to turn words into reality when it plays Georgia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday morning at the PMAC. It’s the third consecutive season the Lady Tigers have reached the Big Dance, and they’ve reached at least the second round in the previous two years.
The Lady Tigers enter the tournament in their biggest slump of the season, dropping seven of their past eight games. The losses include four decided by seven points or fewer and a SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee in which they held a 15-point lead at
halftime.
LSU has the benefit, however, of playing in its home arena, a decision made long before the team fell from top-15 contender to middle-of-the-pack SEC bystander. If the Lady Tigers defeat Georgia Tech, they may face
No. 2 seed West Virginia, also on their home court.
LSU coach Nikki Caldwell said she was thankful for the opportunity to stay at home, and it represents a perfect way to start the tournament.
If the Lady Tigers want to recover, they’ll most likely rely on the seniors who have shouldered a bigger role then the last month. Senior forward Theresa Plaisance has scored 20 or more points in four of her past six games after reaching the mark twice in her first 25 games.
Senior guard Jeanne Kenney has led the team in assists in half of the team’s past four games, while averaging 17 points a game. Senior forward Shanece
McKinney recorded her best game of the year in the first round of the SEC tournament, recording 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in a victory against Alabama.
Caldwell said she looks to her seniors for guidance as they attempt to make a run.
“I think this group is ready,” Caldwell said. “They’re seasoned, and our senior leadership is going to be key. They know what it takes and they know what is expected of them.”
Georgia Tech (20-11, 9-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) comes into the tournament with an emphasis on offense, averaging 79.7 points a game. The Yellow Jackets have scored more than 90 points seven times in the
2013-2014 season, including a 94-91 triumph against then-No. 13 North Carolina.
Georgia Tech is led by its guard play from senior Tyaunna Mitchell and freshman Kaela Davis. Mitchell was named First Team All-ACC for the second consecutive season after averaging 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. After being highly recruited in high school, Davis has produced in the form of 18.6 points a game and 83 three-pointers.
If there is a place the Yellow Jackets struggle, it’s against the SEC. Tech has lost its past five games against teams in the conference, with their most recent win in 2010.
“We’re just going to give everything that we have,” Plaisance said. “You can’t leave anything behind. You have to give every ounce of effort and every ounce of energy just to leave it on the court because you have nothing else to save it for.”