LSU junior forward Theresa Plaisance spent her first two seasons as a Lady Tiger in the shadows of some of the most athletic inside players the program has seen.
So when LSU coach Nikki Caldwell challenged her to become the Lady Tigers’ go-to inside presence for the 2012-13 season, Plaisance knew she had a lot to live up to. Despite never starting a game for LSU before this season, Plaisance has quickly become the Lady Tigers’ star player.
After losing five seniors, four of whom played significant minutes in the post, questions lingered about how the Lady Tigers would recuperate down low.
“I did feel a little bit of pressure last year,” Plaisance said about having to replace those who graduated. “… It’s a tough situation because you want to be as good as that group was.”
But fear of failure was not enough to deter Plaisance from giving it everything she had.
“I really worked my butt off this summer to do everything possible to make myself better for this team,” she said. “… I accepted the challenge that I had to do whatever it takes to establish the inside game that we lost last year.”
The hard work paid off — Plaisance’s improvement this season is impossible to ignore.
“I would definitely give her the most improved award,” Caldwell said.
In her sophomore season, Plaisance played an average of 11.7 minutes per game and posted 4.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and fewer than 0.5 blocks per game.
Seventeen games into her junior season, she has averaged 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and a Southeastern Conference-best 3.1 blocks per game — better numbers than former LSU forward and No. 10 pick in the 2012 WNBA draft LaSondra Barrett put up in her senior season.
Plaisance’s escalated play is exactly what Caldwell was looking for.
“After losing five seniors who meant a lot to this program both offensively and defensively, we knew that Plaisance was very capable of carrying that load for us as an offensive player and a rebounder,” Caldwell said.
But Plaisance said she focuses on making her team better rather than stats or personal accolades.
According to LSU senior guard Adrienne Webb, she is doing just that.
After Webb posted a career-high 28 points against Mississippi State on Sunday, she cited Plaisance’s impact as a primary influence on her success.
“It helps having a force inside with Theresa, because when they double her, the team is going to find the open person.” Webb said.
Even with her recent spike in production, Caldwell said Plaisance continues to work hard and improve as a better all-around player.
“She has done a great job of trying to play better defensively, and we are going to continue to challenge her to play on both ends of the floor for us,” Caldwell said. “… She is still learning and growing as a player, but statistically she is doing what she needs to do to help our team be successful.”
“… we knew that Plaisance was very capable of carrying that load for us as an offensive player and a rebounder.”
