Both LSU basketball programs are coming off an eventful week and now turn their focus to the final few weeks of the regular season.
LSU women’s basketball had two big wins, including a revenge win over Auburn, who gave LSU their first conference loss, and Tennessee.
READ MORE: LSU women’s basketball comes away with 75-60 win over Tennessee
LSU men’s basketball had a huge upset win over Kentucky in the middle of the week before a disappointing performance against Mississippi State on Saturday in a 20-point loss.
Our basketball beat writers at The Reveille got together to discuss each team’s recent games and what’s next for the programs.
How much of a statement was LSU women’s basketball’s road win over Tennessee?
Tyler Harden: It was a big win for the team. The Tigers secured their sixth win in a row against a team with a lot of star power. But the biggest takeaway in my mind is how the team adjusted.
Angel Reese was contained in the first half, but was able to resort to their perimeter shot to get and keep the lead. The win against Tennessee really showed that this LSU team can beat anyone in any phase of the game, if they’re at their best.
Tre Allen: It’s another win that adds to LSU’s resume with them winning on the road, even though Tennessee isn’t ranked. The game also showed their ability to pull away when the momentum was swinging. I think there is more improvement that needs to be done, as there have been times when they look like two different teams, home and away.
Did the 20-point loss to Mississippi State undo all the progress and hype from the Kentucky win for LSU men’s basketball?
Jason Willis: No, but it certainly brought LSU back down to earth. Mississippi State is a tough team with a top-flight defense and a collection of diverse offensive skill sets, so it’s not as if the Tigers laid an egg against a bad team.
What’s more concerning is that there didn’t seem to be any kind of concerted effort from LSU on either end in the second half. LSU is still a team that’s working out the kinks, and any hopes of an NCAA tournament appearance were snuffed out on Saturday.
Tre Allen: No, if anything it did LSU a favor. It shows both sides of its season and how the team is. On one hand, you have the potential and team to beat top-ranked schools like Kentucky, but the loss shows the Tigers still have a long way to go.
Consistency is key for the Tigers, and right now they have to find it.
Is there reason to be concerned about Mikaylah Williams’ recent shooting slump or is it just typical freshman lumps?
Tyler Harden: The bar was set so high for Williams being the No. 1 recruit in her class, and dominating the non-conference schedule continued to raise expectations. Williams, being as valuable as she is as just a true freshman, is something not many teams get to say they have in a player.
And on this LSU team, it’s tough for anyone to carve out a prominent scorer role when it could be anybody in any given game. I don’t think fans should be concerned about Williams, but glad that she can be yet another person capable of being the leading scorer in any game, and one that will only become bigger and bigger over the years.
Tre Allen: No, I think the media attention and hype she got didn’t help either. The expectations for her were very high, especially after she scored 42 against Kent State, but I think it’s just a freshman slump. We also have to remember that she’s not the first or second option either with Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.
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LSU men’s hoops’ last four games come against the bottom four teams in the SEC. What’s reasonable to expect out of those games?
Jason Willis: It really depends what LSU team comes to play. The team that showed up in the second half against Mississippi State was one that seemed unprepared and made no concerted effort as a team.
If the Tigers get back to the level they’re capable of, they can easily go 4-0 at the end of the schedule. I see them going 2-2 at the very worst.
Tre Allen: I can easily see them going 4-0 but like I said before, the consistency is the biggest thing. One game you get the team that’s moving the ball and have multiple players in double digits, and then the next game you have isolation basketball and bad effort which can lead them to trailing by a lot and losing.
I think LSU will go 3-1, losing to Arkansas on the road.
With one week left in the regular season, how much can LSU women’s basketball move up in NCAA Tournament seeding?
Tyler Harden: Other teams ranked above them losing will only help LSU, but of course, LSU has to keep winning in order for that to be meaningful. There are certain teams that are losing that I think won’t be affected; Stanford losing to Arizona doesn’t mean in my mind that Stanford can’t make a Final Four.
I think LSU will be given a 3-seed with winning out the regular season and a stellar performance in the SEC Tournament, but higher than that is a stretch.
Tre Allen: At max, I think they get the No. 3 seed, as they did jump four spots in the AP Poll. A lot needs to happen for them to leapfrog Iowa, Stanford, USC etc. However, I do think LSU is pretty locked in at the third or fourth seed.
With Tyrell Ward leaving the game injured against Mississippi State, are the numerous injuries finally catching up with LSU men’s basketball?
Jason Willis: According to McMahon, both Ward and Jalen Cook are day-to-day, so they could be back sooner than later. To answer the question, though, I think the absence of both is extremely limiting, but not crippling for LSU.
As much trouble as Cook has had at times, his presence undoubtedly makes things easier, and Ward was really catching fire. That being said, LSU has enough in place to stay afloat offensively, especially with a light schedule ahead. Jordan Wright, Will Baker, Jalen Reed and Trae Hannibal are each capable of producing more.
Tre Allen: With the players they have, I don’t think it’ll be anything unbearable, but the players they are missing are ones that are irreplaceable.
Cook has his valuable shot-creating and making skills, and Ward has exceptional 3-point shooting and solid defense. It’s going to be hard to find the production that can replicate that.
