LSU senior forward Kristen Morris made a couple of dribbles in the post before spinning past an Auburn defender and putting the ball in the hoop in Sunday’s 66-55 loss.The field goal was one of six Morris had for the game, as the Lathrup Village, Mich., native scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds — both team-highs for LSU. Playing time hasn’t always come so frequently for LSU’s lone senior. Morris only played in 14 of LSU’s 19 games this season, averaging only 11 minutes per game — which ranks 10th on the team. “It looks like the coach should have been playing Kristen more,” said LSU women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor. “But that’s the way it goes.” Morris is one of a few Lady Tigers who has seen increased playing time since Chancellor shuffled the team’s rotation following LSU’s 38-36 loss Jan. 22 against Mississippi State. Morris played 21 minutes per game and averaged 8 points and more than six rebounds per game since. Sophomore guard Katherine Graham said Morris’ biggest contribution to the team has been her experience.”She’s a great leader, and she really knows the game,” Graham said. “She is able to tell us what we need to do better, because she sees the game from a different perspective than we see it.”Another notable switch has been at point guard, where junior guard Andrea Kelly now handles the Lady Tigers’ offense. Sophomore guard Latear Eason and freshman Destini Hughes previously started at that position.LSU has won two of three games since Chancellor made the move — one he called the riskiest of his career.The Lady Tigers have also been more efficient on the offensive end of the floor and average less than 11 turnovers per game with Kelly at the point — down from the nearly 15 per game the team averages on the season.Graham also helped polish LSU’s rotation since returning from a knee injury she sustained Jan. 14 against the University of New Orleans.The Birmingham, Ala., native, who started the first 14 games of the season, has been eased back into the lineup but should return to the starting lineup in the coming weeks.”I’m feeling great,” Graham said. “I just don’t want to overdo it. That’s the main thing for me — just trying to take it slow . . . But there’s no pain or anything.” With the second half of conference play looming, Morris said she’s confident LSU will be able to have success with its new-look rotation.”I think we’re getting better as a team altogether,” she said. “We just have to keep working and get ready for the rest of the teams that we have.”—-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]
Women’s Basketball: Chancellor hopes new rotation sparks success
February 3, 2009