After a convincing 113-46 win over the NWBL All-Stars, the 10th-ranked Lady Tigers are looking for more competition in their second exibition game tonight against the Latvian Select team.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
LSU coach Sue Gunter said the Latvian team should be a tougher test for the Lady Tigers because unlike the NWBL team, tonight’s opponent has players more familiar with each other.
“They’ll be more competitive just because they are a team and they’re over here playing different teams,” Gunter said. “I think we’ll be challenged a bit more defensively.”
Gunter said the game plan should be similar to the Lady Tigers’ first game and many players, including the freshmen, will see significant playing time.
“These are the kind of games we need to find out as much as we can about our personnel,” Gunter said. “I think we’ll be pushed a little bit harder but we need to be and as far as our rotation and our players, I don’t foresee that being any different.”
Point guard Temeka Johnson said LSU should face a team that is looking to beat them and everyone, particularly the freshmen, need to be ready.
“The last game was a big confidence booster for our freshmen, so this game should be a test for them. I’m anxious to see how they will react,” Johnson said.
Johnson, Augustus Naismith candidates
Johnson and forward Seimone Augustus were among 30 players chosen for the Naismith Preseason Player of the Year award, announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Augustus, who also earned Preseason SEC Player of the Year, scored 21 points in LSU’s season-opening exhibition game. Johnson, a 5-foot-3 senior from New Orleans, had 18 points in the game.
Augustus averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds last season, while Johnson averaged 10.0 points and a team-high 5.8 assists.
“I think it’s good,” Gunter said of the players being named candidates. “Anytime we get that kind of publicity that gets out in the media and on the Internet it only helps for the folks out there to see that. It’s a real bonus for us.”