The LSU women’s basketball team had a lot to be thankful for during the holiday break.
Heading into today’s 7 p.m. game against North Texas in the PMAC, The Lady Tigers are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll and are projected to be No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today rankings released today. It marks the first time since 1978 that the Lady Tigers were No. 1.
Point guard Temeka Johnson said the team was excited about the No. 1 ranking, which has shown how far the program has come in the past few years.
“We had a good feeling about it and today, it hasn’t really sunk in,” Johnson said of the ranking. “I think it’s well deserved.”
Texas’ 74-59 upset of Tennessee on Thanksgiving Day paved the way for LSU to gain the top spot. But the Lady Longhorns then fell to UCLA, 63-60 on Sunday. Johnson said Texas’ loss is indicative of how teams cannot underestimate an opponent and LSU will get more competitive games from squads trying to knock off a No. 1 team.
“The rankings are great, but it doesn’t change anything,” Johnson said. “We still have to work as hard because everyone is going to bring their A game against us.”
North Texas (2-1) junior guard Erika Bobo, with 12 points per game, leads the Mean Green, a team LSU has beaten in the two games the teams have played. Chatman said North Texas (2-1) runs a similar system to the Lady Tigers, which has helped the team prepare.
“They’re going to get out and run the floor,” Chatman said. “They have a good post player inside, and they’re very methodical in their approach. We will have to try to take away some of their strengths, but what it boils down to is execution. We have to execute in transition and on the boards.”
It’s only November and they’re trying to feel their way out just like us.”
LSU (7-0) stayed undefeated with solid wins against Temple, Maryland and Colorado during the week.
“It feels really good to be home,” Johnson said. “When we first looked at the schedule, we knew how tough it was going to be, being on the road so much, but we talked among ourselves and said if the coaches put this schedule together, they must know something we don’t.”
Seimone Augustus, who is averaging 20.7 points and has scored in double figures for 32 straight games, led LSU on the road trip. Augustus helped the Lady Tigers defeat Colorado 75-44 to win the Coors Classic Saturday night, along with a 64-51 win against No. 22 Maryland a day earlier.
Augustus combined for 38 points in the two games played in Boulder, Colo. to earn the tournament MVP.
Center Sylvia Fowles (13 points, 9.6 rebounds) had a career-high 18 points and 15 rebounds in the win against the Lady Terrapins.
LSU started the road trip Nov. 23 with a 65-51 win against Temple in Philadelphia. LSU used a late 17-6 run to put away the Lady Owls, who were held scoreless during the final 2:39.
Chatman said the tough road trip was good for the players, and it should help prepare them for dealing with being ranked the top team in the country.
“We knew win or lose, it was going to be a positive experience for us,” Chatman said. “It speaks volumes for where the program has come.”