SPOKANE, Wash. — When LSU defeated UCLA in the Sweet 16, Lauren Betts’ offseason began.
And it was tough.
“It was a really tough offseason, it was really competitive,” Betts said. “The coaches are holding us to a high standard every day, but I think it’s made us so much better.”
Betts spent lots of time in the offseason with her team. Between the depth and talent that UCLA has, it made her better, and the results have shown.
The 6-foot-7 center leads the Bruins in both scoring and rebounding with 20.1 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game. She also adds another 2.9 blocks per game.
“She has just improved so much,” Kim Mulkey said. “Every time I watch her play, she does something really, really good.”
Betts’ scoring production has increased significantly from last season. Last year, she averaged 14.9 points per game. Her scoring has increased by over five points per game for this season.
Along with that, Betts has tapped into getting the ball to her teammates much more this season; she averages almost three assists per game compared to just one assist per game last season.
In games like LSU’s matchup with the Bruins, Betts’ ability to pass the ball to her teammates on the perimeter will be crucial.
“When I have the ball in my hand, I create a lot for my teammates, and that’s something that is really important to our offense,” Betts said.
Most times this season, along with last season, Betts has been the focal point of opposing teams’ gameplans when facing UCLA.
Betts embraced that position and used it to become a better leader. This offseason, she challenged herself to become that leader she wants to be for her team.
“Just making sure I’m mentally prepared to communicate to my teammates, making sure I can tell them what they’re doing,” Betts said. “Just that communication piece and making sure my head’s on straight the entire game.”
The leadership Betts developed will be useful when facing LSU, as once again, Betts is the primary focus of how LSU will approach the Bruins.
That’s especially evident for Aneesah Morrow and Sa’Myah Smith, who will have the challenge of containing Betts in the paint and getting to the rim.
“[She will bring] a challenge, of course, with her height,” Morrow said. “But we’re going to bang with, we’re going to be physical, we’re going to try and take her a little bit out of position and take her a little bit out of her comfort zone.”
Betts may be the biggest challenge they’ve faced, however. She’s playing arguably some of the basketball she’s played this season, coming off back-to-back 30-point double-doubles in wins over Richmond and Ole Miss.
Against Ole Miss, she scored 31 points and 10 rebounds along with three blocks. She missed just one shot Friday night, shooting 15-of-16 (93.8%) from the field.
“I would say I’m playing good basketball right now, but I wouldn’t say my best.”
For Morrow and Smith, getting Betts tired late in the game is crucial along with getting her in foul trouble.
Betts has made more of an emphasis to play aggressive, as she doesn’t expect to get many calls to go her way during the game.
“They’re [LSU] going to make it really difficult,” Betts said. “I’m probably not going to get a lot of calls, that’s what happens [in] most games, just doing what I can to help the team win.”
For Betts, there is no better time to be playing what could be her best basketball of the season. With another chance at LSU, a tough offseason has the chance to be rewarding.
LSU is the next team that stands in Betts’ way in determining if her offseason continues to be rewarding or not; the team that ended her team’s quest to a Final Four last season.
Until Sunday, the feeling that Betts and her team have had hasn’t been a good one. With the opportunity to avenge its loss from last season along with the momentum it currently has, LSU will have its hands full with Betts and all UCLA brings to the table.
The Tigers and the Bruins will tip off at 2 p.m. C.T. on ABC from Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington.
