LSU senior forward Kristen Morris has started as many collegiate basketball games as her five freshmen frontcourt mates have played combined: zero.The Lady Tigers’ frontcourt inexperience makes Morris optimistic she’ll crack the starting lineup for the first time in her career.”I think I’ve earned it,” she said. “I definitely have the experience.”LSU coach Van Chancellor doesn’t know yet who will start at the power forward and center positions when the Lady Tigers begin the season Nov. 16 against Notre Dame.Morris certainly fits, he said.”Kristen Morris has come a long way,” Chancellor said. “She’s been a leader and a player that sets a lot of screens.”Morris averaged 2.4 points and 9.5 minutes in 83 career games as a backup to former All-American center Sylvia Fowles the past three seasons.Morris achieved the first double-double of her career last season, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds.Fowles recorded at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a single game four times.Morris knows matching Fowles’ presence will be a tall task, and that’s why she has taken great strides to prepare for the challenge.Morris said she put an imperative on conditioning during the offseason — eating healthy, running wind sprints and working out as early as 6 a.m.”I want to make sure I don’t let my team and my coaches down,” Morris said.She has also become a student of the game, reviewing game film and scouting reports in addition to the preparation in practice.”You have to outthink your opponent before you can outplay them,” Morris said.Those studious habits have extended to her schoolwork as well. Morris was named Academic All-SEC the past two years.Lewis Morris, Kristen’s father, said she’s always tried to learn on and off the court.”Her foundation was built on school and getting good grades,” her father said. “And it carried over into basketball. She would sit and talk with high school coaches even while she didn’t have a game.”He said his daughter’s basketball knowledge began at an early age.”When she was really young, she used to sit on my lap while we watched NBA games,” Lewis Morris said.Kristen, the youngest of three children, was always a self-motivated individual, her father said. Even when she visits her hometown, she still makes time to work on her game.That determination, Lewis Morris said, makes Kristen a good leader. And the young Morris said she’s embracing that role.”I was always a vocal leader, even coming in as a freshman,” Kristen Morris said. “Now I have to lead more by example.”Freshman forward LaSondra Barrett, one of the newest Lady Tigers, said she considers Morris a mentor on the court.”She really leads the post, as far as our drills,” Barrett said. “She directs us a little bit.”Kristen Morris said she feels compelled to help out the team’s seven freshmen so they aren’t overwhelmed.She points out where players need to cut off screens during practice and keeps her young teammates’ spirits up after they commit turnovers.She also lets them know what they’re doing wrong.”I feel like if I don’t say anything, they won’t know what to do,” Morris said. “It’s important for me to talk so they can see what I’m doing and follow.”Barrett said Morris’ vocal leadership and patience has prompted the team’s young players to respond well.”Being freshmen, we’re kind of apprehensive on what to do, and we make mistakes,” Barrett said. “She encourages us.”—-Contact David Harvey at [email protected]