No. 1 LSU women's basketball vs. No. 20 Colorado: Score prediction, scouting report
LSU women's basketball has been the talk of women's college basketball throughout the offseason.
Talking season is now officially over and it's time to step between the lines.
Kim Mulkey has her squad ranked preseason No. 1 for the first time in program history due to stars Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson returning off last season NCAA championship team and she went out and added the top two transfers Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow.
The talent and potential has been restocked for the Tigers and they'll get a tough test to open against No. 20 Colorado in the Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Monday night (6:30 p.m., TNT).
Colorado advanced to the Sweet 16 last season where it was eliminated by eventual national runner-up Iowa.
All eyes on Kim Mulkey's restocked LSU women's basketball team against Colorado
Even if Mulkey and her staff hadn't brought in the top two players in the transfer portal, it would've been a top-2 or 3 teams coming into this season.
But couple the 2023 No. 1 recruiting class headlined by freshman sensation Mikaylah Williams with established name-known transfers and who returns, LSU has the headline-grabbing squad.
How will all those stars play together? Can Reese and Morrow, two double-double machines, coexist inside? There's only one ball... This game has heard it all in the lead up to this season.
The talk among the team has been to block out the noise and Mulkey wants all of her plays to be themselves. How things will gel when the lights are officially on will be evident against a solid Buffalo team in the opener.
Colorado to rely on experience, recent success
Last season was Colorado's best in 20 years. And coach J.R. Payne welcomes back top two players Quay Miller and Jaylyn Sherrod.
LSU will also notice a familiar face in Michigan guard transfer Maddie Nolan. The Tigers knocked off Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
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The Buffs have five players who averaged double-digit points during 2022-23 campaign and in essence, they have more time playing and performing together than LSU's top players.
Can chemistry lead to big things for Colorado against women's basketball's top team?
Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow gives LSU edge
Miller is a standout player for the Buffs inside but the pairing of Reese with Morrow should give LSU the edge against just about every team it plays this season.
Morrow, the DePaul transfer, has levels to her game and she will play on the perimeter some as well as inside. Her abilities provides Mulkey some flexibility with various lineup combinations.
The Buffs do have some size with former Aaronette Vonleh to accompany Miller but this will be Final Four-level challenge out the gate for them.
Score prediction
LSU won't look seamless early but it'll find the plays in the second half when it needs them. Reese will pick up where she left off in the national championship and propel the Tigers. LSU 82 Colorado 69
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball vs. Colorado: Score prediction, scouting report
