Lady Tiger coach Nikki Caldwell and her squad discussed upperclassmen who have emerged as leaders and the impact they expect new faces on the roster to make in the upcoming season at Monday’s 2013 LSU basketball media day.
“We have a bunch of returning players from the roster last year,” Caldwell said. “That’s going to bring a lot of leadership and a lot of maturity. When we cultivate that with our incoming freshmen, I do feel like we’ve got one of the best teams in the country.”
Senior forward Theresa Plaisance will once again be asked to carry the Lady Tigers in the post.
The New Orleans native finished last season atop the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 17 points per game and among the league’s top five with 8.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 blocked shots per game.
Her performance last season earned her First Team All-SEC honors and has her on watchlists for the 2014 Wooden Award and Wade Trophy, both given to the most outstanding women’s basketball player in the nation.
“Nikki Caldwell and her staff have definitely instilled a confidence in me that I never thought I could gain after my first couple years here,” Plaisance said. “My confidence in myself and my team this year is very strong.”
Caldwell lauded the early performance of her freshman class, saying their speed and athleticism broadens the Lady Tigers’ scheme options. She specifically praised freshman guard Raigyne Moncrief’s athleticism and ability to defend the basketball.
“[Moncrief] has all the talent of any player who has ever played here,” Caldwell said. “She’s quick, she’s athletic and she can get from one end of the floor to the other faster than anybody I’ve seen or coached or been around in the game in a long, long time.”
Caldwell also said sophomore guard Danielle Ballard has emerged as a more vocal leader early in practice.
Ballard had a phenomenal freshman campaign, leading the SEC and shaterring the LSU single-season record with 100 steals in addition to posting averages of 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
“She’s taking on more of that responsibility in directing the team and directing the freshmen,” Caldwell said. “Her communication with them has been outstanding.”
The addition of new guards such as Moncrief and point guard Rina Hill will free Ballard up and allow her to play more of her style of game, Caldwell said.
“Rina Hill allows Danielle Ballard to now play in her true position, which is off the ball,” Caldwell said. “We now can let her run wide and really attack off the bounce from a different angle on the floor.”
Senior guard Jeanne Kenney has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion in practice.
Kenney is no stranger to missing time, as she suffered injuries to her knee, shin, head and foot last season alone, and still managed to get playing time in 32 of the Lady Tigers’ 34 games last season.
Caldwell expressed interest in having Kenney take fewer charges this season, but that may be easier said than done.
“I’ve never gotten hurt taking a charge, which I’m very proud of,” Kenney said with a big grin. “So I don’t know if I’m going to take as many charges or not.
Though Kenney conceded she has had to make some adjustments to the way she plays.
“It definitely brings a new thought as to how I have to play,” Kenney said. “It’s going to be different in different situations. … I definitely need to understand my limitations.”
“When we cultivate [upperclassmen leadership] with our incoming freshmen, I do feel like we’ve got one of the best teams in the country.”

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Angela Major

LSU head women's basketball coach Nikki Caldwell speaks to reporters Monday, October 28, 2013 at Basketball Media Day in the LSU Basketball Practice Facility.