South Carolina women's basketball: All eyes are on Aliyah Boston vs Angel Reese
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When South Carolina hosts LSU Sunday, not only will it determine the last remaining undefeated team in the country, it could determine the SEC and possibly national player of the year.
Aliyah Boston swept all the player of the year awards last season. Her numbers are down this season, the product of South Carolina’s improved depth and balance. Boston has saved her best play for big games, however, and she is still considered the best defensive player in the country.
Angel Reese, on the other hand, does have the big statistics. She has recorded a double-double in every game this season, closing in on Boston’s record from a season ago, and leads the SEC in scoring and rebounding, plus leads the nation in free throw attempts.
Boston and Reese are, by almost everyone’s estimation, the two contenders for SEC Player of the Year. On top of that, they are, along with Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, likely finalists for national player of the year.
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Both players have their knocks. For Boston it’s the relative lack of numbers. For Reese it’s LSU’s weak schedule. But it’s not as simple as big moments versus big numbers. Reese has made huge plays in LSU’s close games, including a game-winner at Missouri and a critical steal against Tennessee.
Tale of the Tape
| Aliyah Boston | Angel Reese | |
| PPG | 13.3 | 23.5 |
| RPG | 10.0 | 15.8 |
| APG | 1.7 | 2.4 |
| BPG | 2.0 | 1.4 |
| SPG | 0.5 | 1.9 |
| FG% | 58.9 | 54.3 |
| FT | 72-91 | 160-232 |
| MPG | 25.2 | 33.1 |
| T/O | 1.3 | 2.2 |
Although Reese is an SEC newcomer, she and Boston faced off last season when Reese was at Maryland. South Carolina won that game 66-59. Reese had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in 31 minutes. Boston had 16 points, 16 rebounds, and seven blocks in 36 minutes.
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However, that game offers limited insight into how Sunday’s game might play out. Maryland played Reese as the lone forward with four guards and relied on a 2-3 zone defense. LSU plays a more traditional lineup with Reese and former Gamecock LaDazhia Williams as two forwards.
Reese rarely defended Boston one-on-one because of the zone. They were matched up often on the other end, and Reese had some success getting around Boston for layups.
However, that was a much different South Carolina team. The game came while Destanni Henderson was out with a leg injury, and Laeticia Amihere did not play well against the Maryland zone.
South Carolina’s frontcourt depth is radically different, as Kamilla Cardoso has improved significantly and Sania Feagin and Ashlyn Watkins are available for depth. South Carolina has far more options for defending Reese than it did a season ago.
Regardless of the matchups and how it plays out, both players shine when the spotlight is brightest, and on Sunday it will be as bright as it has been all season.
