LSU is ready for a Sweet 16 showdown with Utah. Here's what the Tigers must do to win.
On Thursday, Kim Mulkey made it clear: Her team’s top priority is defense. LSU is looking to make a Sweet 16 showdown with Utah at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPN. The Tigers' top priority is defense, and their 6-foot-2 All-American forward Alissa Pili is one of the best offensive teams in the nation. LSU held Michigan to a season-low 42, but their plus-17 offensive rebounding edge helped them attempt 22 more shots against the Wolverines. Utah's offense will be tougher to contain, but LSU will need to shoot at a higher percentage than it did against Michigan to keep pace with Utah.
게시됨 : 2 년 전 ~에 의해 Reed Darcy ~에 Sports
On Thursday, Kim Mulkey made it clear: Her team’s top priority is defense.
That was undoubtedly the case in LSU’s second-round matchup against Michigan in the NCAA tournament Sunday. And it must be true again the No. 3-seeded Tigers' matchup with No. 2 Utah at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPN.
The Utes are one of the best offensive teams in the nation. And their 6-foot-2 All-American forward, Alissa Pili, is one the country’s most skilled, versatile players.
“I do believe this,” Mulkey said. “You’re gonna have to play defense at this level to continue on. No matter how good you are offensively, I always believe your better defensive teams prevail.”
Entering the second round, Michigan averaged more than 73 points per game. But LSU held the Wolverines to a season-low 42 — thanks to a tweak to the starting lineup, Angel Reese’s six blocks and a massive 46-26 rebounding advantage.
From the floor, from 3-point range and from the free-throw line, LSU’s shooting percentages were nearly identical to Michigan’s. But the Tigers won by 24 because their plus-17 offensive rebounding edge helped them attempt 22 more shots.
Utah’s offense will be tougher to contain. The Utes rank third in Division I in scoring offense (83.5 ppg) and fourth in field-goal percentage (48.7%). They like to shoot 3s. On their 23.5 attempts per game, the Utes sink an efficient 35%, a tick higher than LSU’s 34%.
“We understand that they’re gonna be big,” Mulkey said. “We understand they’re gonna spread the floor, possibly a little bit more than Michigan.”
“We respect their 3s. Look, you shoot as many 3s as they shoot, they’re gonna make 3s. So, we’re not gonna pitch a shutout here.”
To keep pace with Utah, LSU will need to shoot at a higher percentage than it did against Michigan. But if the Tigers struggle again, then they’ll need to create a considerable rebounding advantage.
Fortunately for LSU, the Utes struggle to defend and rebound. They rank outside the top 200 in scoring defense and outside the top 140 in rebounding. Pili grabs a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. She’s at her best in the high post and on the perimeter, and she’ll likely match up with Reese, pulling the LSU star away from the hoop on defense.
주제: Louisiana State University, Academia, Utah