Projecting LSU’s seeding in the 2023 women’s NCAA basketball tournament
The LSU Tigers saw their run in Greenville, South Carolina, this week end a bit earlier than they hoped.
The No. 4 team in the country — and No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament — won its opener in the quarterfinals against Georgia but was upset in the semifinal round against the Tennessee Volunteers, who went on to lose a blowout in the championship on Sunday against top-seeded South Carolina.
LSU sits at 28-2 on the year, and coach Kim Mulkey’s squad could be in contention for a No. 1 seed when the NCAA tournament field is revealed next Sunday. However, a loss in their toughest test against the Gamecocks and being unable to set up an SEC tournament rematch isn’t doing them any favors.
With that being said, here’s what the latest bracket projections have to say about the Tigers.
ESPN
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LSU is the No. 2 seed in the “Greenville 2” region according to the latest ESPN bracketology. Indiana is the top seed in the region, and ESPN has the Tigers opening against 15-seeded Farleigh Dickinson.
CBS Sports
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CBS Sports‘ latest projection concurs, having the Tigers on the two-seed line as well. It’s worth nothing that this projection is from Wednesday before LSU’s loss to Tennessee, and it’s hard to imagine the Tigers did anything this week that would boost them to the one-seed line.
College Sports Madness
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No disagreements so far as College Sports Madness also has the Tigers as a No. 2 seed in its most recent bracket projection. It has LSU opening against Iona in the first round, and Indiana is also the top seed in the region on this bracket.
Just Women's Sports
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We finally have some contention. The latest bracket from Just Women’s Sports has the Tigers on the one-seed line in place of UConn. Granted, this was also released before LSU lost to Tennessee, so it’s certainly possible that loss has hurt its standing.
Our take
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Crazier things have happened, but as of right now, all signs are pointing to LSU being a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers likely need to make it to the championship in Greenville this week, at least, and even then, winning a rematch over South Carolina may have been necessary to get to the top seed line.
With that being said, LSU may have some life thanks to Utah’s stunning loss to Washington State in the Pac-12 quarterfinals on Sunday night, which may have jeopardized the Utes’ own chances at a No. 1 seed.
Regardless, it should be a fairly advantageous road for coach Kim Mulkey’s team as it looks to make a postseason run.
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