Takeaways from LSU WBB's 67-48 win over Kentucky

LSU defeated Kentucky 67-48 on Sunday evening in Lexington, Kentucky, improving to 16-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference play. It was the closest conference win so far, with plenty of ups and downs to follow.

“Our start was very good today. We attacked, we executed, we scored the ball, then we did what we’ve been doing defensively. We got our message through on how to start a game. I saw a lot of good things in the second and third quarter, but we still didn’t end the game well.”

Here are my thoughts after the win.

Flau’jae shines again

The freshman just continues to get better and better. In Johnson’s four SEC games, she’s scored 10, 15, 18, and now 26 points on 10/18 shooting from the field. Even as the game got ugly for stretches, Johnson was there with a smart cut, or a big 2-pointer when the offense needed it. She’s become the reliable second option to Angel Reese on this team with her size and versatility.

Another Angel double-double

The box score will say 26 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t the conventional dominance from Reese today. Instead, she went 17-of-18 from the free throw line while going 5-of-14 from the field. Kentucky was extremely physical, but that’s nothing new for Reese as she continues to get fouled frequently in SEC play.

Is Alexis OK?

Alexis Morris played 16 minutes and ended with six turnovers and one point. She then went to the bench in the second half and was clearly not OK, leaning on coaches with a towel over her head. Mulkey said after the game that she was not feeling well. When she gets healthy, this team will need her to pick up her scoring again.

Creation concerns 

Yes, 25 turnovers is concerning, but ten of those came in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. Still, LSU is now averaging 19 turnovers per game and it points to two things to me. The first, is the reliance on making plays inside the 3-point line. Interior passing is incredibly challenging at any level of basketball and this team can string together turnovers because of it

The second is some inconsistencies at point guard. Last-Tear Poa and Kateri Poole are good players, but they’re not threats to score like Khayla Pointer was last year, so teams often stay home on their drives. Alexis Morris has shown that combination in flashes this year, so they’ll need her back.

Excellent defense for two quarters

The defense this team can string together for stretches is incredibly impressive. Holding Kentucky to 15 total points in the second and third quarters allowed LSU to pull away even as the offense was inconsistent. The defense also leads to a lot of offense, as the Tigers scored 29 points off turnovers tonight.

Jasmine Carson’s 3-point struggles

Carson is now 5-of-22 from 3-point range in four conference games and really hasn’t seemed as sharp as she was in the big road win over Tulane on Dec. 4. This team needs her to find her shot again for it to reach its potential. 

16-0

It is officially the best start in school history. Sure, the schedule was charmin soft, but wins over Tulane, Oregon State, and now four straight SEC blowout wins all make for an awesome start to the season that could result in a top five ranking soon.

A clear top three in SEC

LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina are the clear top three in the SEC, with Arkansas a shaky no. 4. All four teams are 4-0 now, with LSU and South Carolina winning by an average of 27 and 29.5 points, respectively. The Tigers play each team once this season, Tennessee at home on Jon. 30, and South Carolina on the road on Feb. 12.

With Missouri and Auburn next, the Tigers could be looking at a 6-0 start before a home meeting with Arkansas on Jan. 19.