Tonight's match up between seeds #3 LSU and #1 UConn is going to be a show sure to keep us all engaged, nay glued to the tube. The last time these two powerhouses met, the final seconds were devastating as LSU forward Porsha Phillips' basket was ruled a 'two' and not a 'three' sending LSU to the locke room instead of OT. It also shattered a 43-game home winning streak for LSU.

The key match up will be the centers. LSU's Sylvia Fowles (6'6) had 17 rebounds and 22 points in their last meeting while UConn's freshman Tina Charles (6'4) with 17 points and 9 rebounds. One would think Sylvia would have the advantage all the way around but she herself said Charles is "aggressive, runs the floor well and can put the ball on the floor. I have to make sure I don't get into foul trouble early." High praise from someone of her caliber.

Another key will be how well the point guards do this time around, particularly Erica White (LSU) who scored only two points on 1-for-7 shooting. It's no doubt she's looking forward to getting another shot at UConn. UConn's Rene Montgomery had 20 points and seven assists and was 5-for-7 on treys to sew up that win in February.

The determining factor in this game could be how well UConn's offense handles the tough defense and deep bench of LSU. All five starters for UConn score in double figures, but LSU has the No. 1 defense in the nation and a fire in their bellies! It's going to take the entire team (bench included) for LSU to pull off this much needed win. They can't rely on Sylvia alone and they know that. They need to take care of the ball, complete their shots and keep UConn off the boards. "We're a more mature team now," Tigers point guard Erica White said. "We need to play smarter and play our game." UConn doesn't have this sown up by a long shot. They hear the growl of the Tigers and will need to come up with some clever offensive moves to try to get around this hungry team. For starters (pun intended) they'll need Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles to be on their game as well as the rest of the team.  Charles had four fouls last time out, so that will be a key for her too.

I'll leave you with these parting words from Geno..."The fact we beat them [in Baton Rouge], I don't like it. It's a little bit of motivation for them. But, there's something to be said for knowing you beat that team."

Okay, I can't leave you with that, so I'll just add this: The number next to the name means less and less these days.

 

 

 

LSU QUOTES:

"They have inspired me probably more than I have inspired them." -- Interim Head Coach Bob Starkey when talking about how much the LSU players have been through (Sue Gunter's illness/death, Hurricanes Rita & Katrina and Pokey Chatman's resignation.

"I always keep Coach Chatman close to me," she said. "As everybody knows, she's a role model to me. "I always talk to her. She tells me to just keep playing my game and keep my composure. Just go out there and do everything I can to help my team." -- Sylvia Fowles on Chatman's influence.