Kim Mulkey’s Tigers are coming off a loss to Auburn on Sunday. But they return to the state of Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide on Thursday night, hoping to get back in the winner’s column.
LSU faces off with Alabama on Thursday night at 8 p.m. from Coleman Coliseum on the campus of the University of Alabama. The game will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network.
Alabama comes into Thursday fresh off a 77-59 loss to Arkansas on Sunday, meaning both teams are looking to bounce back.
The Crimson Tide runs a more balanced playstyle, ranking fourth in the SEC for field goal percentage (45.2%), fourth in point differential (plus 20.6), and third in points allowed on the defense (54.4).
Senior guard, Sarah Ashlee Barker, leads Alabama with 16.4 points per game. She’s a veteran player, something that LSU lacks, or at least a veteran of the program.
Guard, Aaliyah Nye and Jessica Timmons, also average double figure points per game; Nye averages 13 points per game, and Timmons averages 11.6 points per game.
Although Alabama runs a balanced approach, it is more guard-oriented. Essence Cody, a 6-foot-4 forward, is the Crimson Tide’s leading post player with 9.1 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game.
This being said, Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow, and other post players will be key. Reese is coming off back-to-back double-double performances. Despite the team coming off a loss, Reese should be able to bring the team back to their ways. Aneesah Morrow is also coming off a double-double performance as well.
Perimeter defense will be key as well, as Alabama is more guard heavy. Flau’jae Johnson will be important here, as she is one of LSU’s most consistent defensive players. In her last five games, she’s grabbed five rebounds or more.
But Mikaylah Williams on both offense or defense can be the swing factor for LSU. On Sunday, much of LSU’s struggles came from Auburn eliminating Mikaylah Williams’ 3-point shot, along with Hailey Van Lith. Williams scored just seven points in LSU’s loss to Auburn.
Williams finding shots early will be a major factor to LSU having an easy or hard time in its game against Alabama.
Overall, along with these factors and adjustments, lack of depth may still be a struggle for LSU, as that isn’t an overnight fix. It’s hard to make a correction during the season when it comes to who can step up, but that just means these adjustments are that much more important.
There’s work to be done for LSU, but that’s been the common mantra all season with this team. There’s been a high bar set since day one, and while the team has shown flashes of meeting that standard, they’ve yet to put a full game together.
They look to do that and get back on track on Thursday in Tuscaloosa.
