Final Four preview: Three keys for LSU WBB vs. Virginia Tech
LSU takes on Virginia Tech in the Final Four on Friday at 6 p.m. in Dallas, looking to make the program’s first national championship game. The Tigers (32-2) come off of a 12-point win over Miami to advance to the final weekend and now face the Hokies who enter this game 31-4 on the season and a No. 1 seed. With wins over Tennessee and Ohio State in its last two games, LSU’s next opponent has proven itself throughout this season.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey returns to Texas with her team playing elite defense, holding their last five opponents to below 40 percent shooting. The storylines write themself as Mulkey returns to her old stomping grounds, but the hall of fame coach is locked in on shocking the college basketball world – and herself – by leaving Dallas with the trophy.
Here are the three keys to the game and how LSU can get the win over Virginia Tech.
Efficiency in the paint
Against Miami, LSU finished the game shooting just 18 of 51 from two and the struggles were headlined by a 3-of-15 shooting performance from star forward Angel Reese. There were plenty of missed 2-point jumpers as well, but the missed shots at the rim were what stood out the most.
Reese has been over 50 percent from the field for the entire season, so it was an outlier performance, but Reese will need to be efficient regardless of who is defending her.
The Hokies have two very different types of forwards, which makes it interesting. Elizabeth Kitley is a 6-foot-6 lumbering forward, while Taylor Soule is a 5-foot-11 forward who is very quick and aggressive on defense and the glass. Either way, I think there’s an avenue for Reese to have an advantage with her 6-foot-3 frame paired with her quickness. I’d assume Virginia Tech does not start Kitley on her, but if they do, Reese has to be aggressive and try to get Kitley in early foul trouble.
“I don’t know that Kitley will be guarding Angel, and nobody knows if Angel will be guarding Kitley,” Mulkey said. “Angel has been double-teamed. She is outstanding at passing out of the double-team and finding the open player. She has been guarded one-on-one by the bigger player. Angel is not a true back-to-the-basket player. She likes to take you off the dribble. Sometimes she tries to do too much, and I just tell her to relax. We’ll find you on ball reversal.”
LaDahzia Williams is the incredibly steady force opposite of Reese and should have some openings as well. S’Myah Smith should get 10-12 minutes again, but this feels like a game suited towards the veteran bigs and, therefore, a lot hinges on their ability to be efficient.
Slowing Amoore
Georgia Amoore is the head of the snake for Virginia Tech and perhaps the best guard LSU has faced all year. Mulkey compares Amoore’s range and potency behind the 3-point line is comparable to Caitlin Clark and she will be a handful for the Tigers’ guards.
Which matchup does Mulkey go with to try to contain her? Kateri Poole is an excellent defensive guard and was great against Michigan, but Amoore’s speed could make it a tough matchup. Flau’Jae Johnson is a high-level defender and has great length, but again, Amoore’s speed and ability to fly off screens could make it tough. Alexis Morris has the speed to stay in front, but Mulkey might be worried about Morris picking up some early fouls.
It’s an interesting matchup with Amoore’s 3-point shooting being a huge factor in this game.
“She has the second or third most 3-point attempts in the country and she has an unbelievable step-back,” Mulkey said. “She gets her teammates involved and they use Kuitley in a way where she’s not just a back to the basket post player. They push the ball extremely well in transition and you have to fan out and not get sucked into the paint. The time I saw [Amoore] in the bubble till now, they’ve done great work [developing her].
Another breakout game
It was Jasmine Carson who shined against Michigan, LaDahzia Williams dominated against Utah, and then S’Myah Smith gave great minutes against Miami. Alexis Morris and Angel Reese will come ready to play, but it’s essential LSU gets a strong showing from one or two of its role players. Whether that’s Flau’Jae Johnson, Kateri Poole, or one of the posts, the Tigers need all hands on deck.
Poole and Johnson are excellent defenders, but their perimeter shooting continues to be a huge factor in the efficiency of this offense. Mulkey does not appear inclined to play Carson or Last-Tear Poa much in these high-leverage situations, so it’s on the starting guards to produce after struggling this tournament.
“I think we’re playing pretty solid defense right now,” Morris said. “We’re clicking. We’re communicating. Our offense, we haven’t shot the ball well, and that’s obviously a goal. We haven’t put on our best showcase yet. It’s going to be key these last two games, for our next game on Friday, that we come together and play a complete game.
“The offense is going to come. The only thing we can control is our defense.”
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