LSU WBB likely without transfer guard to begin season
LSU will likely be without transfer guard Mjracle Sheppard to start the season as head coach Kim Mulkey said that she will be out “a couple of weeks with a stress reaction”. The injury is not a fracture and they are holding her out to avoid it getting worse.
Sheppard did not play in the Tigers’ second exhibition game, but was excellent in the first showing against Xavier (NO), totaling six steals and showing what has made her a promising talent as just a sophomore.
Sheppard transferred to LSU after one year at Mississippi State where she was pivotal in the Bulldogs home win over the Tigers last year, where she also had six steals, hounding the Tigers’ guards for 40 minutes. Now at LSU, she provides excellent depth and perimeter defense, but she’ll have to wait a bit for her season to begin.
Backcourt rotation without Sheppard
With Sheppard sidelined and Last-Tear Poa not currently with the team, LSU looks like it will start the year without two projected contributors off the bench. Projected starters Shayeann Day-Wilson and Mikaylah Williams were held out of the last exhibition but are both expected to return and start for LSU in the season opener on Monday.
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Off the bench, freshman Jada Richard and Arizona transfer Kailyn Gilbert become the first options for Mulkey to provide depth. Both had excellent showings in the exhibition on Wednesday night, combining to score 40 points on efficient showings. The two have a steep learning curve ahead, but now are going to get into games early and often to start the season.
Day-Wilson, Williams, and Flau’Jae Johnson are going to play a bulk of the minutes at the three guard spots, but unlike in recent years, Mulkey will have viable options and variety off the bench to help the Tigers sustain their performance for four quarters. After a season where HAiley Van Lith and Last-Tear Poa were the only ball handlers, it’s a welcome sight for Mulkey and LSU fans.
LSU begins the season on Monday against Eastern Kentucky, marking the start of Kim Mulkey’s fourth year at LSU. The Tigers begin the season No. 7 in the AP poll with hopes of returning to the Final Four after falling just short a year ago. With the departure of Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, Mulkey has a trio of returning starters who are poised to be elite, but will continue to look to round out her rotations early in the season both in the backcourt and in the frontcourt.
Rest of the injury report
Shayeann Day-Wilson – Hip pointer, but she can play.
Mikaylah Williams – Tweaked ankle, but she can play.
Jada Richard – Tweaked ankle in game, not expected to be serious.
Last-Tear Poa – Not with the team.
