LOL! You think I was talking about physical tiredness only? I wasn't. And, yes LSU won the NC, but they played a cream puff schedule, lucked into not playing SC, and then shot the lights out like they hadn't before. Do we really know how great Reese is? Against teams that were actually good she certainly didn't put those numbers up.
Hailey Van Lith to LSU
- Thread starter darrell
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LSUAlum96
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Wait, what? Reese CONSISTENTLY shoots with either hand. In fact, this is one of the great things about her play in the post. Now, should she shoot more from the midrange to expand her game...............? Yep. But she shoots with either hand. As for play versus Tennessee, remember she played Tennessee twice. In the first game she had 18 pts 17 reb, and the second game she had 22 pts 11 rebs. She HARDLY played poorly vs the Vols.
She technically plays but she doesn't play both ends at high level. Defensively she often coasts especially as a off-ball defender. It's much easier to recover when you're not grinding it out on the defensive end as well like an Edwards.
I don't know about the less talent bit. I think people are definitely underestimating the talents of a LaDhazia and Alexis, those are two higher caliber players and freshmen like Flau'jae and Sa'Myah have also shown some great flashes as well. She did some heavy lifting but it's not like she was in a situation similar to a Morrow or a Siegrist.
As for her game, I agree she has a done well at using her strengths to her advantage, which is attacking the rim and being restless on the boards. My worry for Angel is I haven't seen any development in her game. Her midrange was practically non-existent, her post-moves is severely lacking and her handling needs some work. Maybe if she was 6'6 I could overlook some of these but I worry for her pro aspirations if this doesn't dramatically improve.
Ive been a Uconn wbb fan for the last 10 years, but I’m from New Orleans and have been an LSU fan all my life. I watch a lot of Uconn and LSU. I love AE and think she’s an excellent player. But Reese has the killer mentality Edwards lack. No matter what, Reese thinks she’s the best player on the court. Sometimes she’s not, but you won’t be able to tell her that. She has an arrogance to her that makes her so dominating. You can’t break her spirit. Edwards is very good, but she doesn’t have the killer mentality Reese has. Edwards had dominating games, Reese dominated the season. Every game it felt she could go out and get 20-20. Edwards had the chance to be as dominating with Azzi and Paige out, but it didn’t really happen. She was still really good, but sometimes she could disappear. Biggest game of the year vs Ohio state, Edwards gives you 4 points. That’s not me saying she’s a bad player. Reese is just a different beast, love it or hate it.
Who thinks this? I promise you LSU fans know that roster was not complete at all. They went on a run, that’s literally what March Madness is and should be. In WBB march madness has been dominated by top programs, but on the Mens side its always the luckiest team and the one who’s hot at the right time. I promise you FAU, SDSU, Miami, and Uconn were not the “best” teams in the country. And guess what it doesn’t matter. Every time you step on the court you have to win ONE game. Doesn’t matter how you do it. Just WIN.
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I mean you apparently aren't on social media where people are calling the LSU the Golden State Warriors and expecting them to go undefeated next year now that they added Hailey Van Lith (Kevin Durant).
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Great comments. I am sure there are some folks who have some negative vibes towards LSU but I am sure it is all in good taste. I was able to watch quite a few of LSU games this year and like you said, there were some games where LSU was hitting on all cylinders and some games where they weren't. With the addition of Hailey Van Lith, we all are hoping that it opens up options for LSU on the offensive end of the floor. The rest of the stuff, chemistry concerns, who starts/who sits, and shot selection, will all get worked out over the summer and into the fall.
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I noticed that she didn't have that killer mentality against South Carolina. Just saying. Did she disappear?
bballnut90
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This ^^. Literally no one has stated anything suggesting they were the clear top dog last year. They're being talked a lot about now going into next season, but I haven't seen anyone try to rewrite history about their place in the 2022-23 season. They were a solid team that played some of their best basketball at the right time and got the job done.
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bballnut90
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Reese shot 9.4 free throws per game compared to 4.1 for Edwards--she's drawling a lot more fouls than Aaliyah does.
In regards to getting into foul trouble, Reese has her moments but it's rare she misses significant playing time or stays off the court long. Edwards has improved in this area looking at season stats--I just recalled her missing significant minutes in several big games (Ohio State/South Carolina). Committing fouls I agree is largely a wash when looking at the numbers on the season.
The players have different skill sets, but while Edwards showed flashes of greatness throughout the year, Reese maintained that level of play and tenacity the entire season which is why I think she's clear cut ahead of Edwards, though Edwards had a great season in her own right. If Edwards can find more consistency then it's a new conversation IMO.
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Can you expand on the consistency point? Personally I think they both have areas where they need to be more consistent. Sure Edwards wasn't a 20/20 double double, but her constiency in this area jumped up significantly this season and she wasn't the primary option on offence.
And relentless is a matter of perspective. Edwards may not be as emotive as Reese but it doesn't take away her desire to do whatever she can on the court to win. Her willingness to take charges for one. Her aggression when defending the perimeter is another. Both players are relentless in different ways if you ask me.
bballnut90
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Edwards had a great year but had stretches of up and down play. She disappeared in a lot of games and her productivity took a notable dip in February, though she finished the season on a great note (until to the Ohio State game.) She had many games where she took a back seat, didn't look for her shot, didn't rebound as well, or just wasn't particularly productive. Reese the entire year (excluding vs SC) brought high energy and produced. Even if her shot wasn't falling she'd make her impact in other areas. Part of it is their role for their team, but every night you knew what you were going to get from Angel, where with Aaliyah I didn't think that was the case.
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This is where we would agree to disagree. Sure there were some games where her offence didn't show up, but she still contributed to help the team from my perspective.
People are just being complimentary of LSU for beating the teams they did and going on the run that led to a national championship. I mean, this wasn't some 7 or 10-loss team that made a miracle run. They still only loss 2 games all year. The reference to the Warriors on social media was only made AFTER the championship when rumors spread about Hailey Van Lith and/or Marrow potentially coming to LSU on top of the #1 incoming recruiting class. People were equating Hailey Van Lith's move to KD going to the Warriors for an "easy ring." However, anyone who follows WBB knows that UConn will be likely healthy and stocked for another run along with South Carolina because both of those teams just reload.
bballnut90
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It's more throwing shade at Hailey Van Lith than saying LSU is going to dominate. Both Hailey Van Lith/Durant bailed on teams that were built around them to go join an already established championship squad.
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Trust me that is not the reference. I’ve also heard Its like Candace Parker going to the Aces. Hailey Van Lith is no Candice Parker and LSU were not the Aces this year.
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Why I think LSU will be better next year. With the roster we have now as the base. Without comparing other teams or players
For one. Guard play will be much better. In terms of production...
I expect Flau'Jae to expand her role and game.
Williams will not have to shoulder the pressure that Flau'Jae shouldered as a freshman. So her game will come to her rather than forcing it. But the talent is definitely there.
Hailey Van Lith gonna be Hailey Van Lith.
The guard play alone will have us having 3 threats. Instead of 1. Outside the national championship. Only Morris had good games. And we was stagnant offensively because of the lack of production.
Poole and Poa after their national championship showing will go into the season with confidence. They will be 3 point threats.
For the bigs. It's tricky. Reese will be Reese. Smith potential is high. Unless don't land someone. She will have to play a huge role. Again her potential is high. Even at times when Ladazhia was off. Kim relied on Smith. And she produced.
Rebounding will be much better. Last year Reese and Flau'Jae were are best rebounders on the court. Smith is a much better rebounder than Ladazhia. Especially on the defensive side.
Del Rosario Gonna play a lot as well. She's gonna look every bit of a freshman. But she can also give us size when we need it. Her shot is promising. Gotta work on free throws. She's gonna see the floor but gonna look like a freshman.
Reese gotta work on her free throw line jumper. Scouting report is out now. Teams will sag off her and force her to take that shot. At times when teams backed off. She still took it at them. I think they'll try to draw charges. So she gotta find confidence in her shot.
Now if we get Morrow. The whole narrative of this post changes.
For one. Guard play will be much better. In terms of production...
I expect Flau'Jae to expand her role and game.
Williams will not have to shoulder the pressure that Flau'Jae shouldered as a freshman. So her game will come to her rather than forcing it. But the talent is definitely there.
Hailey Van Lith gonna be Hailey Van Lith.
The guard play alone will have us having 3 threats. Instead of 1. Outside the national championship. Only Morris had good games. And we was stagnant offensively because of the lack of production.
Poole and Poa after their national championship showing will go into the season with confidence. They will be 3 point threats.
For the bigs. It's tricky. Reese will be Reese. Smith potential is high. Unless don't land someone. She will have to play a huge role. Again her potential is high. Even at times when Ladazhia was off. Kim relied on Smith. And she produced.
Rebounding will be much better. Last year Reese and Flau'Jae were are best rebounders on the court. Smith is a much better rebounder than Ladazhia. Especially on the defensive side.
Del Rosario Gonna play a lot as well. She's gonna look every bit of a freshman. But she can also give us size when we need it. Her shot is promising. Gotta work on free throws. She's gonna see the floor but gonna look like a freshman.
Reese gotta work on her free throw line jumper. Scouting report is out now. Teams will sag off her and force her to take that shot. At times when teams backed off. She still took it at them. I think they'll try to draw charges. So she gotta find confidence in her shot.
Now if we get Morrow. The whole narrative of this post changes.
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I actually think Virginia Tech and UCLA are in the top 4 with UConn and LSU. If Morrow goes to South Carolina they’d be back up there but too many question marks even with PaoPao.
bballnut90
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It is the reference. Search Durant + Van Lith on twitter and every reference is about Hailey chasing a ring.
100% agree about UCLA. That could very well be a team who could take it all. They got the right pieces returning and the right pieces being plugged in from the portal.
Those teams you suggest as top four will play in the Cayman Islands Thanksgiving tournament along with Fordham, Kansas, Niagara and Virginia. The teams only play two games. Assuming none of the “top four” play one another on day 1 we could have two games with the four teams paired on day 2.
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Next season if healthy Paige Azzi Caroline and Aaliyah will be tuff to beat. UConn needs Jana Ice Patterson and Amari to contribute. This is very important. The UConn show will be led by a healthy Paige and if she is anything like she was her freshman season UConn may not loose a game.
Comparing players is tuff because of the way their teams are built. UConn has more talent then any team in WCBB next season but they must be healthy. If they are they very well could go undefeated. When our underclassman are up to speed UConn could run away with games even against the best. The Paige and Azzi show if healthy will dominate WCBB like no other if healthy
Comparing players is tuff because of the way their teams are built. UConn has more talent then any team in WCBB next season but they must be healthy. If they are they very well could go undefeated. When our underclassman are up to speed UConn could run away with games even against the best. The Paige and Azzi show if healthy will dominate WCBB like no other if healthy
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SCGamecock
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Judging by this thread, I am desperately praying for a regular season matchup between LSU/UConn.
The Hailey Van Lith/Morris comparisons are very accurate IMO. And I think her addition improves an already solid team.
If healthy, UConn is my current front runner… I’d like some of what you’re smoking if you can’t see that they are clear and far away the best roster heading into next season. But I also think LSU is a clear #2 with their roster, especially if Morrow joins.
Please, Please, PLEAAAAASE give us this matchup.
The Hailey Van Lith/Morris comparisons are very accurate IMO. And I think her addition improves an already solid team.
If healthy, UConn is my current front runner… I’d like some of what you’re smoking if you can’t see that they are clear and far away the best roster heading into next season. But I also think LSU is a clear #2 with their roster, especially if Morrow joins.
Please, Please, PLEAAAAASE give us this matchup.
bballnut90
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I think right now they're clear #1/#2 on paper. Both teams have some major question marks, but it's rare that teams enter a new season without any.
Others like South Carolina/Utah look good on paper, and there are some up and coming programs like UCLA/Ohio State, plus you cant count out Indiana/Iowa/Notre Dame/Virginia Tech/Stanford since they have stars back. The overall talent spread is a lot deeper than its been in a while, so as we saw from this season, anything can happen come tournament time.
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I think you are overstating how difficult Kim's non-conference scheduling has been in the past.
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Last I heard, it is a good possibility that they could face each other in the Cayman Island Classic. Brackets have not been set yet.
bballnut90
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Here's her list of big matchups non-conference over the years:
2011-12: #2 Notre Dame, #6 Tennessee, #4 Connecticut
2012-13: #6 Kentucky, #4 Stanford, #5 Notre Dame, #10 Tennessee, #3 UCONN
2013-14: #5 Kentucky, #1 UCONN
2014-15: #13 Kentucky, #19 Syracuse, #18 Michigan State
2015-16: #19 USF, #20 Michigan State, #23 Miami
2016-17: #9 UCLA, #3 UCONN, #18 DePaul, #8 Ohio State, #22 Tennessee
2017-18: #8 UCLA, #20 Kentucky, #16 Stanford
2018-19: #23 Arizona State, #18 South Carolina, #11 Stanford, #1 UCONN
2019-20: #22 USF, #17 Indiana, #5 South Carolina, #1 UCONN
2020-21: #16 Arkansas, #3 UCONN (canceled). Shortened season overall.
2021-22: #14 Iowa State (not sure how much control she had over schedule in first year).
Not sure how I overstated that she schedules a few tough non-conference games each year. 2023 was an anomaly for how weak she scheduled.
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