It’s always a joyous occasion when a newborn baby is welcomed into the world.
The arrival of LSU women’s basketball coach Nikki Caldwell’s daughter Justice Simone Fargas at 5:44 a.m. Tuesday morning was not only a welcome sign to Caldwell but also her team.
The first-year Lady Tigers’ coach was supposed to give birth to her first child in late March. For the team’s sake, it’s a good thing Justice was served sooner rather than later.
After losing to Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game, 70-58, on Sunday, LSU will get two weeks off to prepare for the upcoming NCAA tournament. Now that Caldwell will be pacing the sidelines when tournament play begins, the Lady Tigers can focus on the task at hand — hanging up another Final Four banner in the PMAC.
LSU won seven of its last nine games before losing its last contest to the Lady Volunteers. One of the key reasons the Lady Vols were able to pull away late was the absence of LSU senior forward LaSondra Barrett, who departed minutes into the second half after an accidental knee to the head.
After a slight scare, Barrett accompanied LSU on its flight back from Nashville and posted an encouraging tweet on her Twitter account.
“Thanks for everyone’s prayers & concerns from this weekend. I’m doing fine & in good hands with our trainer & I will be ready 4 NCAA tourney,” she wrote.
With Caldwell and Barrett back for the NCAA tournament, the Lady Tigers have a solid chance to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008.
LSU’s host status will be a supreme home court advantage, especially if the Lady Tigers receive a lower seed than their second-round opponent.
ESPN.com’s Bracketology expert Charlie Creme currently has LSU pegged as the No. 5 seed in the Raleigh regional, facing off against No. 12 seed Missouri State. If that scenario becomes reality, playing the No. 4 seed will be a big advantage for the Lady Tigers.
It’s surprising to see LSU sitting in such a good position,
considering for a while it looked as if the team might miss the NCAA tournament for the second season in a row.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the Lady Tigers to know Caldwell will be present. If her baby still hadn’t been born next week, there would be an air of uncertainty surrounding the team as to whether or not Caldwell would be able to coach.
Uncertainty is not something a coach wants to deal with at the most important time of the season.
The confidence Caldwell exudes during games and practices has been a breath of fresh air for LSU. She’s been able to take a senior-laden team and get her players to buy into her coaching philosophy in only her first season as head coach.
After senior guard Destini Hughes went down with a torn ACL in January, Caldwell inserted sophomore Jeanne Kenney as the starting point guard. In turn, Kenney has responded by leading LSU in assists, and her ball handling has steadily improved.
I’m sure Caldwell is excited about her newfound role as a mother, but something tells me that she’s itching to get back on the basketball court to start her postseason legacy at LSU.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]