Mark Sunday, Feb. 26 on your calendars right now.
As a matter of fact, mark Feb. 12 and Feb. 19 along with it.
Not only are these the dates of the last three Lady Tigers home basketball games, but those will also be the last three opportunities to see No. 33 suit up in a Lady Tiger basketball uniform in the PMAC.
I’m not just talking about all-everything senior Seimone Augustus but the actual No. 33 as well, which in all likelihood will hang from the rafters to represent an era that brought LSU women’s basketball further into the national spotlight.
At the time of her signing, Athletics Director Skip Bertman called it the most significant in LSU history in any sport.
Boy, was he right.
With an array of awards ranging from Freshman of the Year to National Player of the Year, Augustus has started every single game so far in her four-year career. The senior led LSU to two straight Final Four appearances as well as a trip to the Elite Eight in 2003.
Before her arrival in Baton Rouge, LSU had no Final Four appearances in the history of the program.
What’s puzzling is that with all of these accomplishments and accolades – not to mention the team is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation – a grand total of only 4,288 fans attended Sunday’s game against Ole Miss.
Do people not know that the best women’s college basketball player for the past two years is here at LSU and is leaving soon?
Now, it was Super Bowl Sunday, but the 2 p.m. tip off allowed ample time to attend the game and catch the kick-off of the Super Bowl.
What makes it worse is that you’re not only missing Augustus, but her team isn’t half bad either.
You’re missing Sylvia Fowles, who at 6 feet, 6 inches, is becoming the most dominating force in women’s college basketball and was just recently named SEC Player of the Week for a record fourth time this season.
Did I mention she can dunk?
Those two alone are worth the price of admission. By the way, for students that price is only your time and effort to get to the game.
You’re also missing Scholanda Hoston, whose balancing motherhood and basketball along with her stout defense and 3-point shooting helps keep the Lady Tigers among the nation’s elite.
Or how about Florence Williams, who could have left after last season’s Final Four loss but decided to stay for this season’s championship run to give the Lady Tigers a consistent threat off the bench.
Disregard the fact LSU is 20-1 this season. Disregard the fact they have won 22 straight SEC regular-season games. Disregard the fact they haven’t lost a game in the PMAC in two years.
You still can’t disregard how important Augustus has been to LSU women’s basketball during the past four years, and that fact alone should sway you to attend these last three games.
I mean, they’re free so why not?
 
Contact Jeff Martin at [email protected]