Instant takeaways from LSU's national title win over Iowa
LSU has done it. The Tigers win the 2023 NCAA National Championship. Kim Mulkey’s team defeats Iowa 102-85 in Dallas on Sunday afternoon.
Here are my instant takeaways from the win.
3-point shooting
The Tigers entered the championship game with one of the lowest 3-point attempt rates in the country and had been struggling from deep over the past month. Jasmine Carson had fallen out of the starting lineup, Flau’Jae Johnson had also been cold, and the Tigers were instead reliant on their incredible defense and rebounding to reach the title game.
LSU fans were hoping the Tigers were due, but no one could have expected the showcase LSU put on in the first half on Sunday. It started with a corner 3-pointer from Johnson, but Carson did the rest.
Carson went 5-for-5 from 3-point range and LSU as a team went 9-for-12 in the first half. The result was LSU scoring the most points in a half in Final Four history and a 17-point lead at the break.
In the second half, the 3-point shooting slowed down, as the Tigers were intent on slowing the game down and working the paint, but the lead gave LSU a runway to a title. For a team that’s season has been built from the inside first, the Tigers won the title from behind the 3-point line.
Guarding Clark
Caitlin Clark ended the game with 30 points on 9-of-22 shooting, but the Tigers did a fantastic job at making her work for everything and even drawing two offensive fouls. Clark is going to get hers, but the way LSU was physical with her and Alexis Morris just was always in position, it was hard for Clark to get a lot of good looks.
The rest of the defense was awesome as always, with Johnson, Poole, LaDahzia Williams, and Angel Reese, but it started with Clark and Morris was awesome.
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Mulkey’s signature is her defense and it was absolutely elite the entire tournament. She has done it again.
History made
Kim Mulkey told LSU fans that the goal was to hang a banner. She also told LSU fans to remain patient. It wasn’t going to happen overnight, until it just did.
In year two under Mulkey, the Tigers have won the national championship. There have been questions and concerns throughout the season, but none of that matter now. LSU has reached the mountain top.
It’s the first basketball title in LSU history. The tears were flowing once the buzzer sounded. The hugs were long. This team has done it.
Angel Reese also set the record for most double doubles in NCAA history with 34.
It was a game that broke records on television. It was a Final Four that broke attendance records.
A whole lot of history was made tonight. Soak it in Tiger fans.
