LSU women’s basketball: Five questions heading into new season | LSU

The revamped LSU women’s basketball team hits the floor for the first time at 7 p.m. Thursday, the scheduled time for its exhibition game against Xavier of New Orleans at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

In the offseason, LSU lost Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith and two freshmen it signed for its 2023 recruiting class. But it brought back Aneesah Morrow, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, three players who will form what some consider the trio most talented in the country.

But talent can only take a team so far. LSU had a lot last year and its season ended before the Final Four. What will it take this year for the No. 7 Tigers to return to the NCAA Tournament’s biggest stage?

Use these five questions as a guide before the 2024-25 season officially begins.

1. Who plays point guard?

Van Lith transferred to TCU, leaving LSU with a hole at point guard. Will veteran Last-Tear Poa take on this role? Or will manager Kim Mulkey hand over the transfer reins?

Shayeann Day-Wilson, a senior from Miami, has started twice as many games as the rest of the ballhandlers on the roster combined, but she has no experience running Mulkey’s system. At the Southeastern Conference media day on Oct. 16, Mulkey said he expects her to “just play point guard” this season.

“I think once she becomes comfortable understanding everything that is required of her as a point guard,” Mulkey said, “she will shine. She can shoot the 3-ball. She’s quick as lightning.”

LSU also transferred Arizona transfer Kailyn Gilbert, an underdog who can create her own shot, and Mississippi State transfer Mjracle Sheppard, a tall, long sophomore who can defend the point of attack.

And don’t forget Jada Richard, a freshman from Lafayette Christian who impressed Mulkey in preseason workouts.

They are all vying for a starting role alongside the top four returners: Johnson, Williams, Morrow and Sa’Myah Smith.

2. How well will LSU recover?

Over the past two seasons, Reese has grabbed 34% of LSU’s offensive rebounds, 27% of its defensive rebounds and 30% of its total rebounds. The 996 boards she assembled were the second largest in the country during this period of games.

How will the Tigers replace that production?

They are lucky to still have Morrow, one of the best rebounders in the country. The senior is on pace to finish her career with the third-most rebounds in NCAA history.

But Morrow can’t carry the recovering load alone. Replacing the work Reese did on the glass will require a group effort led by Smith, sophomore Aalyah Del Rosario and Arkansas transfer Jersey Wolfenbarger.

3. Will LSU play with rhythm again?

Mulkey, Morrow and Johnson seem to think so.

Last season, LSU played at one of the 10 fastest paces in the country, according to data from Her Hoop Stats. Since 2009, no team coached by Mulkey has averaged more possessions per 40 minutes than last year’s Tigers.

The foundation of this transition-based offense is back. Morrow, Johnson and Williams are all quick, athletic and versatile, three traits that allow each of them to excel in counterattacking chances.

“We’re going to push the ball,” Mulkey said. “Nobody wants to see you walk around with the ball.”

4. Bench Contributors

Pencil in reserve roles for Poa and Del Rosario, the 6-foot-10 center who is now fully recovered from an offseason ankle procedure. That leaves enough minutes for just one or two more players, as Mulkey likes to add to his rotation once SEC play begins.

Wolfenbarger can bring size and versatility to the frontcourt. Gilbert can provide half-court scoring. Sheppard can defend opposing point guards and wings. Richard may be able to space the court immediately, but will Mulkey trust his defensive abilities this early in his career?

LSU will have about two months to figure everything out before the schedule tightens.

5. How difficult is LSU’s schedule?

The SEC portion of the schedule is tougher than it was last season, but the non-conference segment is not.

Seven teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll are on the Tigers’ schedule. Of those seven, only one – No. 9 NC State – is on the non-conference list. LSU will play Washington (Nov. 25) and Stanford (Dec. 5), but neither team was picked to finish among the top five teams in their conference.

Washington missed the NCAA tournament last season and Stanford is rebuilding. In the offseason, the Cardinal lost their two best players and their longtime coach, Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer.