Benefits of Giving LSU the Benefit of the Doubt
The LSU Tigers are undefeated but have faced limited competition. They have played just one ranked team and had no true road games. However, their comeback victory over Stanford proves their mettle. Down six points with 40 seconds left, they forced overtime and won 94 - 88. LSU guard Mikaylah Williams' three-point play and other key plays in the final seconds tied the game and opened overtime with a 3-pointer. Williams finished with 32 points and nine rebounds, averaging 16.2 PPG this season. Transfer guards Gilbert and Day-Wilson have helped fill the void left by Hailey Van Lith. The Tigers are showing they will be in the thick of the SEC race despite a relatively easy nonconference schedule.In a pregame ceremony, Williams' high school announced it will retire her jersey. This homecoming game was a special moment for her. Mulkey's decision to go with a smaller lineup against Stanford made a difference. She said, "You can game-plan all you want. And then everything can be thrown out the window based upon what's taking place. You make decisions in the heat of the game."
The Tigers' next true test comes on Jan. 9 against Tennessee. But their performance against Stanford shows they are capable of winning in tight situations.
UCLA Bruins: Big Ten Play Begins
The Bruins opened Big Ten play last week against former Pac - 12 foe Washington and won 73 - 62. Lauren Betts is averaging 19.6 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 62.8% from the field. She is a strong candidate for player of the year.Next week, they play @ Long Beach State (Dec. 14) and vs. Cal Poly (Dec. 16).
UConn Huskies: Impressive Wins and Tough Tests Ahead
The Huskies defeated Louisville 85 - 52 on Saturday, limiting the Cardinals to 25.8% shooting. Freshman Sarah Strong led UConn in scoring for the third time this season with 21 points. Two of their next three games are against ranked foes, including a big showdown against Notre Dame.Next seven days: @ Notre Dame (Dec. 12), vs. Georgetown in Hartford, Connecticut (Dec. 15), vs. Iowa State at Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase in Uncasville, Connecticut (Dec. 17)
South Carolina Gamecocks: Dominating Opponents
The Gamecocks beat two top - 10 foes back - to - back last week, defeating Duke 81 - 70 and TCU 85 - 52. They shot a combined 54% from the field. The Gamecocks don't play a ranked team again until Jan. 12 vs. Texas.Next seven days: vs. South Florida (Dec. 15)
Maryland Terrapins: Big Ten Start
The Terps opened Big Ten play with a 78 - 69 win at Purdue. Saylor Poffenbarger led Maryland with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Maryland plays just twice more this month before a busy January.Next seven days: No games
USC Trojans: Big Ten Debut
Like UCLA, the Trojans started their first season of Big Ten play last week against a former Pac - 12 opponent and won 66 - 53. Tuesday, they defeated Fresno State 89 - 40. Forward Kiki Iriafen led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds for her fourth consecutive double - double.Next seven days: vs. Elon (Dec. 15)
LSU Tigers: Homecoming and Beyond
Mikaylah Williams got a homecoming game as LSU beat Grambling 100 - 54 in her hometown of Bossier City, Louisiana. She had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Tigers have a busy schedule ahead with games against Louisiana (Dec. 15) and Seton Hall at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase in Uncasville, Connecticut (Dec. 17).LSU's performance shows they are a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Resilience and Tough Tests
The Irish showed their resolve in their 80 - 70 overtime win against Texas on Thursday, led by Hannah Hidalgo's 30 - point game. They then followed it up with a 93 - 62 win over Syracuse. Their toughest test thus far is up next vs. UConn.Next seven days: vs. UConn (Dec. 12), vs. Eastern Michigan (Dec. 15)
Duke Blue Devils: Bouncing Back
Duke lost at South Carolina 81 - 70 but bounced back and started ACC play with an 81 - 59 win over Virginia Tech, led by freshman Toby Fournier's season - high 27 points.Next seven days: No games
Texas Longhorns: Learning from Losses
Texas was unable to translate its size advantage into a win at Notre Dame and forward Taylor Jones left the game early. But they bounced back with a 93 - 62 victory over James Madison. What they learned from the loss to the Irish should help them going forward.Next seven days: vs. Southern (Dec. 11), @ Richmond (Dec. 15), vs. La Salle (Dec. 17)
Oklahoma Sooners: Rallying in Big 12
Last week, the Sooners fell behind by 17 at Louisville but rallied with a 29 - point fourth quarter for a 78 - 72 victory. They followed it up with a 110 - 46 blowout of Alabama State. They have one game against a ranked team left (vs. Michigan next week) before starting SEC play.Next seven days: vs. Oral Roberts (Dec. 15), vs. Michigan in Charlotte, North Carolina (Dec. 17)
TCU Horned Frogs: Up and Down
The Horned Frogs rocketed into the top 10 after their victory against Notre Dame but came back down with an 85 - 52 loss to South Carolina. Guard Hailey Van Lith finished with 21 points and six assists.Next seven days: vs. Louisiana Tech (Dec. 15), vs. Samford (Dec. 17)
Ohio State Buckeyes: Return of Key Player
The Buckeyes won games vs. Illinois (ranked 21st entering the game) and Ball State. Junior forward Cotie McMahon returned against the Illini with 25 points and 5 rebounds.Next seven days: vs. Youngstown State (Dec. 14), vs. Grand Valley State (Dec. 17)
Kentucky Wildcats: Struggles and Wins
The Wildcats hit a snag in their SEC/ACC Challenge loss to North Carolina, holding them to a season - low 53 points. But they followed it up with an easy 87 - 45 win over Queens University.Next seven days: @ Purdue (Dec. 14)