Monday night was unexpected for the LSU women’s basketball team. Coming off a national championship and quickly reloading the roster for this season, the Tigers arguably had the biggest target on their back out of any women’s college basketball team.

Colorado hit the bullseye of that target Monday night with a 92-78 win over the defending national champions. The Buffaloes seemed to have outplayed LSU in all aspects of the game.

MORE BASKETBALL: LSU women’s basketball stunned by Colorado with 92-78 loss in season opener

However, there were glimpses when LSU looked like the team many expected them to be right out of the gates, or at least showed themselves in ways many may not have thought they would right away.

Here are three positive takeaways from LSU’s loss to Colorado:

Mikaylah Williams doesn’t play like a true freshman

At many times during Monday night’s game, Mikaylah Williams looked like she was the most comfortable player on the floor for LSU. Her stat line reflects that, as she led the team with 17 points, four rebounds, a steal and a block in 31 minutes played.

The true freshman started for the Tigers on Monday. The way she played may surprise people that she is a true freshman and that Monday’s matchup was her first legitimate collegiate game.

As Williams gets even more comfortable than she already is in Kim Mulkey’s system, Williams will be likely to play a huge role on the team.

Sa’Myah Smith is set to have a bigger role this season

Last season, Sa’Myah Smith was one of Mulkey’s most frequently used options off the bench. After a productive offseason where she stayed in Baton Rouge and trained in the weight room, she looked to be more aggressive in the paint, even before Monday’s season opener.

Against Colorado, Smith totaled 16 points, five rebounds and a block in 25 minutes. She also shot 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Smith consistently produced during his freshman season last year and with the improvements she’s made this offseason, she has the potential to produce even more this season. Based on Monday’s matchup, her chance of doing that seems likely.

LSU’s defense forced more turnovers than Colorado

While 19 turnovers from LSU isn’t ideal, the Tigers forced 21 turnovers from Colorado. In a game where not a ton seemed to go LSU’s way, the little things became bigger for the Tigers.

The stellar defense came from LSU’s most sought after transfers that the team added this offseason. Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow each had two steals. Williams and Kateri Poole each had a steal as well.

Ironically, Frida Formann and Jaylyn Sherrod, the two guards that lifted Colorado past LSU in the first place, led Colorado in turnovers. 

READ MORE: LSU signs top Louisiana high school women’s basketball recruit Jada Richard