For the first time since 2014, the LSU Lady Tigers cracked the AP Top 25 national rankings. After the Lady Tigers’ most recent 62-57 road win against Arkansas, they secured their spot among the nation’s best team.

LSU currently sits at No. 24 in the newest polls
LSU has been on a tear since mid-January, going 8-2 in its last ten games. Four of its eight wins have came against teams ranked within the Top 25.
Coach Nikki Fargas gives the bulk of the credit for the impressive play to her leader, senior guard Raigyne Louis.
 “It starts with Louis,” Fargas said. “She is one of the best players in the country and there’s no doubt about it. However, we need to look to our bench and keep those players effectively engaged as much as we do for our starters. Their contributions to this team matters a lot.”
Due to this remarkable run, the Lady Tigers began to receive warranted national recognition for their superb play.
“It’s the recognition of the hard work this team has put in and the quality of our schedule,” Fargas said. “With the teams we have play this season and being able to win here in our league is a testimony to the energy needed to position yourself to competitive in the league.”
With any accomplishment in sports, distractions tend to surface and interfere with the focus of players and/or teams. Moving forward and facing a formidable opponent in No. 7 South Carolina on this week, Fargas will aim to keep her team as focused as possible.
“A ranking definitely is not the focus of why we play this game,” Fargas said. “You’re supposed to play to get better everyday and to try and finish at the top. Once this happen, the double-bye in the tournament is obtainable.”
 It is always great to receive the recognition in the polls, but it is important to realize the most important time for the team to gel the most is when the SEC tournament begins on March 1st.  The prestige of programs are determined by conference championships, Final Fours, and national titles.
 As for the program reaching a point it has not been to in four years, a national ranking could a be an added factor to keep the team inspired and focused as the regular season winds down.
“Internal motivation is something that is developed behind closed doors in the practice facilities,” Fargas said. “That is how you become a top team in the country. You get there through the preparation in practice and doing everything necessary to compete at the highest level possible.”
In terms of seeding and being placed in the best position possible to make a deep run in the tournament is heavily contingent on a team’s ranking. Where the committee places a team on Selection Sunday is important in terms of location and strength of bracket.
With the final two games being in South Carolina’s house and getting the chance to avenge a 14-point loss to Alabama earlier in the season, it is imperative for the Lady Tigers to finish the regular season strong.
“I think the outcome of the next two games will be determined by the heart and hustle of our team,” Fargas said. “We must go into these next two games with the mindset that we are competitors. We are not the same team we were in early January and we have to be ready.”
No. 24 LSU will go on the road to face No. 7 South Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m.