BOSTON — It doesn’t seem fair.
With the men’s team falling flat on its face Saturday in Indianapolis, the Lady Tigers were supposed to pull through.
And what a poetic ending a title would write.
The Queen of Women’s Basketball, Seimone Augustus, has every imaginable trophy in her possession.
She’s every writer associations’ Player of the Year, and she’s on every organization’s All-American team.
“It’s unfortunate,” Augustus said. “We have been there three times and never got past the semis.”
Unfortunate is an understatement.
There isn’t a word, phrase or analogy in any language that can convey Augustus’ feelings and her importance to the team.
“I did what I felt like I wanted to do for this program, made history, and hopefully made my mark,” Augustus said.
The LSU women’s basketball has gradually grown in popularity since Augustus’ arrival in 2002.
The nine largest women’s basketball crowds in the Maravich Center were recorded during Augustus’ tenure, including the largest crowd of 15,233 to ever witness a women’s game on campus.
All of this growth and popularity has occurred with Augustus on the team.
Coming into the season, many questions arose about how this team could succeed without its floor general, Temeka Johnson.
But there hasn’t been much of a drop-off.
The Lady Tigers went 31-4 this season without Johnson, which further validates the importance of Augustus.
With that said, what is this team without Augustus?
I don’t even know what this team is without her.
It’s been easy for people to say the past four years LSU is returning Augustus, the nation’s best player.
And it will be easy for people next season to say LSU is returning Sylvia Fowles, the most dominant center in the nation.
But Augustus has simply brought such a confidence to the team.
With her on the team, the Lady Tigers have never finished outside of the Elite Eight.
To predict the future, use superstar Diana Taurasi of Connecticut as a point of comparison.
The Lady Huskies won three straight national championships from 2002-2004 with Taurasi on the team.
But since Taurasi’s departure, it hasn’t been the same.
They got knocked out in the Elite Eight this season and the Sweet 16 in 2005.
Even Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma admitted one week ago his team could not hang with the competition late in the tournament.
He was right, and the Lady Huskies are at home now watching the Final Four.
Now, LSU fans have to swallow the pill they’ve been dreading for four years.
They have to bear the realization of competing without Augustus, the home-grown kid every fan adored.
And LSU coach Pokey Chatman feels the pain more than anyone.
“Her legacy will not be this game” Chatman said. “And that’s as good as I can do.”
 
Kyle is a public relations freshman.
Contact him at [email protected]