As March Madness kicks off, excitement is palpable among fans, especially for the LSU Tigers, who are entering the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament as a No. 3 seed. This weekend, the Tigers will host the No. 14 seed San Diego State Aztecs at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) in Baton Rouge. The first-round matchup is set for Saturday, March 22, 2025, with a tip-off expected at 9:15 PM CT.
Under the watchful eye of head coach Kim Mulkey, who has guided the Tigers through a brilliant season, the team aims to advance to the Sweet 16 on Monday, March 24, assuming they emerge victorious against the Aztecs. The stakes couldn’t be higher as LSU looks to build on their impressive track record, with a recent championship win as a No. 3 seed in 2023 prompting high expectations.
The matchup against San Diego State presents both challenges and opportunities. The Aztecs, who come into this game with a 25-9 record, have enjoyed a promising season under 12th-year head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson, marking her first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are expected to not only leverage their home-court advantage but also their impressive rebounding abilities, critical for them to maintain control through this tournament. With a 41% offensive rebound rate over the regular season, LSU thrives on second-chance opportunities.
However, the Tigers’ performance in recent games raises a few eyebrows. LSU has struggled at the tail end of the regular season, losing three out of their last four games leading up to Selection Sunday. And while the team features several standout players, the health status of star forwards Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow remains a pivotal point. Both players have experienced lingering injuries, casting doubt on their performance in the crucial matchups ahead.
“They’re healthy and ready to go,” Mulkey stated, emphasizing the importance of both players to the team’s success. Morrow leads the nation with 13.6 rebounds per game and has achieved 27 double-doubles this season. Her incredible athleticism and ability to rebound despite not having elite size make her a formidable presence on the court.
Despite LSU's recent struggles, their overall season record stands at an impressive 28-5. The team boasts notable victories, including a key win against NC State earlier in the season. Furthermore, with the potential path set to face Florida State or George Mason in the next round, the Tigers are all too aware that consistency is crucial. Florida State, currently ranked third nationally in scoring, poses a unique threat with an average of 87.2 points per game. However, they lag defensively, ranked 317th in allowing 71.2 points against. If the Tigers can produce offensively while forcing Florida State's weaker defense to stretch, they could secure another round in this year’s tournament schedule.
The match against San Diego State is filled with excitement and potential unpredictability. Despite being a lower seed, San Diego State’s balanced attack and solid fundamentals keep them competitive. The Aztecs do not shoot many three-pointers, yet their efficiency when they do is respectable, with a shooting percentage of .346 from beyond the arc. They rely heavily on their rebounding prowess as well, with a 51.3% rebound rate which, although ranked middle of the pack, is vital when facing a team like LSU.
On the Aztecs' roster, Veronica Sheffey and Naomi Panganiban are the leading scorers, averaging 11.4 and 10.5 points per game, respectively. Despite their lack of a dominant star who can take over games independently, the Aztecs have demonstrated their resilience by reaching this point. Cali Clark stands out as their top rebounder with 8.5 rebounds per game, contributing to San Diego State's consistency on the boards.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are set on the future matchups, especially if LSU successfully dispatches San Diego State. The anticipated meeting with Florida State could evolve into a high-scoring shootout, where LSU must find ways to buckle down defensively to contain their opponents' offensive onslaught.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has cast doubt on the Tigers' postseason aspirations, predicting they could fall in the second round if they face George Mason. While pundits weigh in, LSU continues to channel its focus on the task at hand - a decisive victory against the Aztecs.
With a blend of veteran experience and new talent, this LSU team has worked hard to secure its place in tournament history. Fans have rallied behind their team as they make their way to potentially clinching their third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, firmly believing that the realm of possibility remains bright and vivid during March Madness.
The weekend is poised to be filled with excitement and anticipation as the LSU Tigers commence their path in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, relying on their tenacity and skills to write their own narrative in Baton Rouge.
