LSU women’s basketball showed what you’d expect from a team with several newcomers and a couple major departures. 

The Tigers had to shake off some rust and may have some growing pains when it comes to learning to play as a unit.

But with Thursday’s 114-53 win over Xavier University of Louisiana in LSU’s first of two exhibition games, Kim Mulkey was able to evaluate where her team stands to start the season.

Now that the team has a game under its belt, here are the takeaways from Thursday’s win.

Last-Tear Poa didn’t appear

As the Tigers took the court for the first time, one player was missing.

Last-Tear Poa did not participate in pregame warmups, nor was she on the bench with the team during the game.

The reason for her absence is currently unknown.

“Poa is taking care of business off the floor,” Mulkey said.

Flau’jae Johnson led the team

If it wasn’t expected already, it is now: Flau’jae Johnson will be the centerpiece of this season’s LSU team. 

Between Johnson’s versatile scoring ability along with her efficient defense, Mulkey’s system could very well revolve around her. 

She finished the game with a team-high 30 points on 13-of-19 shooting with 10 rebounds and three assists. Johnson also shot 2-for-4 from three, and came away with three steals. 

“Flau’jae might’ve been the best guard in the NCAA Tournament last year,” Mulkey said. “I’m not surprised.”

Executing in transition

When Mjracle Sheppard committed to LSU, it was clear that she’d bring a defensive presence to LSU’s roster.

Sheppard finished with six steals last season when her Mississippi State team upset LSU 77-73.

Thursday night, Sheppard finished with a team-high six steals and 12 points. Morrow also finished with five steals.

“I wouldn’t be able to get those steals without my teammates putting pressure on the ball, so I was able to get those steals tonight,” Sheppard said.

The Tigers finished with 17 steals as a team, and seven different players came away with at least one steal.

But LSU also capitalized off of its stellar defense, especially in the backcourt. Of LSU’s 114 total points, 47 of them came off of turnovers, including 27 points off of fast breaks. 

“I feel like I have a good game when I get a stop first…defense kind of gets me started,” Johnson said. “Defense is kind of our mentality.”

Fast transition offense was something LSU embraced last season, and it seems that trait carried over to this season.

The team has guard depth

In Mulkey’s three seasons in Baton Rouge thus far, all of her teams arguably lacked one thing: depth.

This time around, Mulkey may have the numbers to rotate fresh bodies in and out throughout the game, especially at the guard position.

Some other new guards showed promise in LSU’s first exhibition game along with Sheppard in the win. 

Jada Richard wasted no time getting acclimated to the collegiate level. LSU’s lone true freshman finished with 14 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from three in 22 minutes of play.

Shayeann Day-Wilson was effective at the point guard position, especially in Poa’s absence. The Miami-transfer finished with seven points, four assists and a steal. 

Kailyn Gilbert, who transferred from Arizona, finished with nine points along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

With Poa and Mikaylah Williams, who is dealing with an injury, both held out of Thursday’s game, Mulkey has lots to work with and choose from at the guard position.

“Those guys are going to have the ball in their hand,” Mulkey said. “We’ve got five or six that aren’t afraid to wear that, and that’s what you want.”

Paint presence

How LSU would respond after Angel Reese took her career to the WNBA was arguably the biggest question looming around the Tigers going into this season.

Aneesah Morrow was expected to take the bulk of responsibilities in the paint, and she embraced that role right away. She finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the win. 

Jersey Wolfenbarger also showed her versatility. Along with her perimeter defense, the Arkansas transfer was a presence in the paint, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. 

However, while Wolfenbarger has a size advantage in the frontcourt, her aggressiveness under the basket will need to improve, as she only had three rebounds.

But along with Williams, Sa’Myah Smith continues to work her way back into gameplay after her season-ending injury last season. 

While Smith has been practicing leading up to the season, Mulkey wants to make a smooth transition for Smith to return to the court. When Smith does return, she will be able to complement Morrow and Wolfenbarger in the paint.

Aalyah Del Rosario is also coming off an ankle injury from this offseason. While she played 18 minutes on Thursday, it may take her some time to get up to full speed. She finished with seven points and six rebounds. However, she had a team-high three turnovers.

The depth in the frontcourt may not be as straightforward as it is with the guards. But once adjustments are made and everyone is healthy, the Tigers may be a threat in the paint once again.

Turnovers were an issue

LSU finished with 15 total turnovers as a team. 

While Xavier only had nine points off LSU’s turnovers, 15 turnovers will be costly during the regular season, especially in SEC play.

Nine players had at least one turnover, and five had multiple turnovers.