The No.1 ranked Lady Tigers will look to build upon its 14-game winning streak this afternoon when LSU takes on Alabama in the second round of
the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
After earning the SEC regular season title last Sunday following their 76-52 victory over Florida, the Lady Tigers earned a first round bye in the tournament.
Alabama advanced to the second round after a 62-58 victory over Florida yesterday in the first round.
LSU coach Pokey Chatman said not knowing the opponent until the day before their first game does not prove to be a major problem.
“We can always break down our half-court offense and work on cutting and screening and spacing,” Chatman said. “So for us, it’s not that big of an adjustment in terms of the quick turnaround and not knowing who you’re going to play.”
Senior guard Monique Bivins led the Lady Tide in their victory over Florida in its first round victory.
Shooting 6 of 10 from 3-point land, Bivins finished with a team-high 25 points in the win.
LSU will have to face Alabama for the second time this season.
Led by junior Seimone Augustus, the Lady Tigers knocked off Alabama in January 76-51 in Baton Rouge. Augustus led LSU with 19 points.
Despite LSU’s victory over Alabama early in the season, Chatman said LSU can expect a better effort this time around.
“They’ve had some changes,” Chatman said. “They didn’t play the way they’re capable of playing when they were here.”
The Lady Tide have gone 3-8 since their loss to LSU. Alabama coach Rick Moody has also announced his retirement at season’s end.
Moody said the time was right for him to step down at the SEC Tournament press conference earlier this week.
“In talking to so many of my coaching friends that have worn my shoes and stepped away, they told me that I would know when the time was right,” Moody said. “After much prayer and counsel, I just knew it was time to step away and give someone else a chance to energize this program.”
Marverly Nettles, who averages 12.1 points per game, leads the Lady Tide into what could be Moody’s last game this afternoon against LSU.
Following Sunday’s victory, Chatman said LSU has worked on a few separate things to prepare for the tournament.
“We’ve cleaned up our half-court offense,” Chatman said. “We haven’t been cutting and screening the way we like. We’ve done a lot of breakdown drills and just cleaned some things up.”
While LSU may not have their normal allotted time to prepare for their next opponent, junior Scholanda Hoston said it simply boils down to improving themselves.
“Things like blocking out and rebounding have nothing to do with the opponent,” Hoston said. “Those are things we’ve focused on and worked on. These are the things we have focused on all year.”
Augustus, who earned SEC Player of the Year earlier in the week, leads LSU into the tournament with 20.0 points per game.
With its first ever regular season conference title now under their belt, Hoston said maintaining their concentration will be important.
“It”s something we’ll carry with us and carry with pride,” Hoston said. “And it gives us something else to play for, as well as possibly making more.”