Five takeaways from LSU women’s basketball’s loss to No. 1 South Carolina
LSU is undefeated no more. The Tigers suffered their first loss of the year Sunday afternoon facing the nation’s top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.
The top-five showdown pitted an SEC powerhouse in South Carolina against an emerging contender in LSU. It was a match between two of the sport’s best coaches with Kim Mulkey and Dawn Staley walking the sidelines.
South Carolina raced out to an early lead and while the Tigers hung around, LSU could never fully fight back. The final was 88-64 after South Carolina outscored LSU 46-32 in the second half.
Alexis Morris had a game-high of 23 points while Angel Reese scored 16. Kamilla Cardoso led South Carolina with 18 points, followed closely by Zia Cooke’s 17 points.
Here were the takeaways from the loss.
LSU isn't a contender
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
LSU was the underdog on Sunday. Despite the undefeated record, it was presumed South Carolina was still a few steps ahead of LSU. Those presumptions were confirmed as South Carolina rolled.
The Gamecocks jumped out to a large lead after a fast start. LSU responded and came within spitting distance, but it never mounted a real threat.
Mulkey pointed out the gap following the loss, saying, “It’s South Carolina and everyone else.”
"It's South Carolina and everyone else."
Great coaches, in particular when they get beat and perhaps get beat soundly, tell the truth, credit the opponent and make no excuses.
That's what @LSUwbkb @KimMulkey did Sunday after the @GamecockWBB defeat. #LSU pic.twitter.com/vZiq4dBlZA
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) February 12, 2023
Kim Mulkey is building something at LSU. She didn’t take over a program that was in a great spot and already has LSU nationally relevant. LSU looks poised to be a threat in the SEC for several years, but it’s not there just yet.
Tigers show fight
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Despite falling down early, LSU remained active. South Carolina didn’t put this game away until the second half. A big reason LSU remained in it was the play of Alexis Morris.
Whewwww, man, Alexis Morris is just on one today pic.twitter.com/iYblBAbTJJ
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) February 12, 2023
Alexis Morris is out here HOOPIN' 🍿 @AlexisMorrisWBB | @LSUwbkb pic.twitter.com/jX7wBB84rA
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 12, 2023
After an early injury scare, Morris finished the game with 23 of LSU’s 64 points. She led the Tigers in rebounds with six.
It was needed on a day when Reese didn’t have her best game. She shot just 33.3% from the field and saw her double-double streak end.
LSU lacks depth
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina has better depth than LSU, and it’s one of the things Mulkey will try to build for LSU as the program tries to take the next step.
All but one player on Dawn Staley’s squad plays over 9.5 minutes per game. LSU has just nine players over that mark.
The Gamecocks have a few more consistent performers than LSU and that was evidenced by five South Carolina players scoring in the double-digits on Sunday, compared to LSU’s two.
As Mulkey gets another offseason to bring in talent and develop what she already has, expect LSU’s depth to mirror South Carolina’s.
Seeding implications
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Had LSU won on Sunday, it would have moved up to a No. 1 seed. That’s not out of the question, but Mulkey’s group needs some resume-boosting wins.
LSU must win out in the regular season. That includes games against decent Ole Miss and Mississippi State teams and road contests at Florida and Vanderbilt.
LSU will be favored in all four, but it’ll be interesting to see how it responds to its first loss of the year. The Tigers could get another crack at South Carolina in the SEC tournament, which could put LSU right back in play for a No. 1 seed.
Don't let this take away from the full body of work
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Obviously, as just discussed, losses have consequences. LSU now faces a difficult path to a top seed, but that shouldn’t take away from what this group has done.
Something special in brewing with this program. LSU and Baton Rouge are excited and rightfully so.
It’s not a surprise – it’s why Mulkey was instantly hyped upon her arrival.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley recognized Mulkey’s progress following the game.
"She put together a really, really great team. And she's coaching them up. She put together the No. 1 recruiting class for 2023." @GamecockWBB Dawn Staley was very complimentary of #LSU @KimMulkey Sunday.
"She's WELL ahead of the schedule. Like WELL ahead of the schedule." pic.twitter.com/y9J03qfyqX
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) February 12, 2023
LSU has a proud women’s basketball program and if it keeps winning like this, the fans will keep showing up.
LSU might not be among the sport’s elite just yet, but this ride is still one worth enjoying. You never know what can happen in March and if something special really happens, you’ll want to be one of the ones that were in on the ground floor.
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