The Lady Tigers enter the 2017 season with higher expectations than last season.
The Lady Tigers were picked to finish seventh in the Southeastern Conference, but they believe they can finish in the top four of the conference and get a double bye in the SEC tournament.
The optimism contrasts with last season which LSU exceeded expectations, finishing seventh in conference instead of its preseason projection of 12th.
Much of last season’s turnaround can be traced to the debut of senior guard Raigyne Louis and junior guard Chloe Jackson, who both redshirted in the 2015-2016 season.
“We are just trying to get our team to win,” Louis said. “We want to end this season with a bang.”
“It definitely feels different this season,” Jackson added.
LSU’s duo provided the bulk of the Lady Tigers’ offensive and defensive prowess.
Louis averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.3 steals, leading LSU in each category. She also was selected as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Jackson was second in three categories with a season average of 13.1 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals. She was fourth in rebounds with 5.1 per game, and led the team with 33.5 minutes per game and made 19 three point shots.
Jackson said she worked hard over the summer to be better from behind the arc.
“She has been very accurate in practice,” LSU coach Nikki Fargas said. “She has been someone we can really rely on to put points on the board. She has been a smarter player. She is becoming a great player on our team and in our league.”
Both Jackson and Louis are eager to get back on the court this season. LSU’s season ended in the NCAA tournament last year with a 52-55 upset by the Cal Golden Bears.
Jackson and Louis combined for just 20 points on 8-for-33 shooting with just two steals and six rebounds, well below their average.
“I am just ready to play against other teams,” said Jackson. “I am excited to get back on the court.”
While Jackson and Louis carried much of the burden for LSU last season, the two will have additional help from a very talented backcourt.
Junior Shanice Norton and sophomore Jaelyn Richard-Harris bring back experience in LSU’s difficult matchup zone, one that Louis says even she still has not completely figured out as a senior.
LSU freshman guards Dekeriya Patterson, Jailin Cherry and Khayla Pointer are young but should take some of the burden off Louis and Jackson, who both averaged over 30 minutes per game for LSU last season.
“They have been going hard in practice,” Louis said. “They can make great plays. They are looking pretty good and coming along well.”
With playing time more spread out, Louis and Jackson are still expected to have a lofty season for the Lady Tigers.
Louis was selected preseason first-team All-SEC by the coaches of the conference. Jackson was one of 20 players named to the inaugural Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List for the best shooting guard in women’s basketball.
Louis played just 19 minutes, but tallied 15 points, eight steals, and six assists in a 96-34 win over the Mississippi College Choctaws in an exhibition game. Jackson had a game high 24 minutes — 10 minutes less than her average from last season — but had 13 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and six points.

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Kelly McDuff

LSU junior guard Chloe Jackson (0) dribbles the ball during the Tigers' 96-34 victory against Mississippi College on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.