The LSU women’s basketball team will attempt to do what no LSU men’s or women’s basketball team has ever done – win a Final Four game.
The Lady Tigers lost three-consecutive national semifinal games under former head coach Pokey Chatman and were sent home each year one step short of playing for the National Championship.
But the No. 3 seed Lady Tigers (30-7) will try to make LSU history as they take on No. 4 seed Rutgers (26-8) Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Quickens Loans Arena in Cleveland.
“I think it’s certainly a motivational factor for us,” LSU acting head coach Bob Starkey said after Wednesday’s practice. “Our kids are certainly aware that we’ve done something historical in the fact that we’ve [gone to the Final Four] four years in a row. I think it’s a carrot that we dangle out there for them and hope we give them a little motivation.”
The chance to make history comes without Chatman, who resigned before the NCAA Tournament amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with a former player. But Starkey said even if LSU does win the NCAA Championship, he still has no interest in the head coaching position.
“I’m just absolutely not interested in it,” Starkey said in Wednesday’s NCAA teleconference. “I don’t think it’s what’s best for LSU or me. I think our administration understands that and feels the same way. There’s been conversations. We’re all on the same page.”
Starkey said he is not completely comfortable with comparisons to the University of Connecticut or University of Tennessee women’s basketball programs until the Lady Tigers win a Final Four game.
“We’ve got to bust through that door and win a game,” Starkey said. “We need to try to take that next step.”
LSU and Rutgers have not met since Jan. 5, 2005, when the Scarlet Knights defeated the then-No. 1-ranked Tigers 51-49 in overtime.
Coach C. Vivian Stringer leads the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, who have four players averaging more than 12 points per game. Junior guard Matee Ajavon has had three 20-point scoring games in the NCAA tournament, while sophomore center Kia Vaughn recorded her 11th double-double of the season in Rutgers’ regional final victory over Arizona State University.
Starkey and the LSU coaching staff made sure the players knew the emphasis of Wednesday’s practice. The sign “Take the Paint Away” was taped to the water cooler.
Junior forward Ashley Thomas said the scouting report on Rutgers stressed denying inside baskets.
“Taking the paint away … not letting them drive to the basket,” Thomas said. “They like to penetrate a lot. And basically for us, taking care of the basketball. We know they have like really active hands, and they’re going to try to get a lot of deflections.”
Starkey and junior center Sylvia Fowles both said the Lady Tigers are playing better in comparison to the past year’s Final Four run.
“I feel good about the way we’re playing right now,” Starkey said. “Last year, we kind of stumbled into the Final Four.”
Fowles echoed Starkey’s comments when asked how the Lady Tigers may be able to get their first Final Four victory.
“We’re focused, and we’re playing our best basketball at this point,” Fowles said. “Last year we were struggling with a couple of games to get there.”
Fowles said the reality of once again reaching the Final Four has not yet affected her.
“I guess it won’t hit me until I get to Cleveland,” Fowles said.
Assistant ticket manager Tiffany Creel said the fan’s ticket allotment sold out Wednesday, but she said just one student, The Daily Reveille employee and editor of online media Marissa DeCuir, bought Final Four tickets.
Approximately 800 Lady Tigers fans will be joining DeCuir and the Lady Tigers in Cleveland.
Creel said 287 students went to the 2006 men’s Final Four in Indianapolis to watch the LSU men’s basketball team. In comparison, six LSU students attended the 2006 women’s Final Four in Boston.
Anne Grant, a mass communication freshman, said she continues to read news concerning Chatman’s resignation but has not watched an NCAA Tournament game.
“I hate not to have had faith in them, but I honestly didn’t think they would come as far as they have,” Grant said.
Animal sciences senior Kade Grant said he predicts LSU will win the National Championship.
“They’re not letting [Chatman’s resignation] get to them,” Grant said. “Or if they are, they’re not showing it.”
Biological sciences freshman Dominique Ceazer said he is proud of the Lady Tigers for keeping their focus despite the struggle after Chatman’s resignation.
“I think they’re doing real well,” Ceazer said.
Ceazer had a special message for his kinesology classmate and junior guard Erica White.
“Tell her I’ve got her notes for her whenever she gets back,” Ceazer joked.
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]