SECWB.com - The Blog

by LeAnne Harrington, SECWB.com

One year ago, LSU and Marist were two teams on a very different journey into the 2007 NCAA Tournament. LSU had already been to three straight Final Fours and were about to make their run at a fourth, when the sudden departure of their coach threw the program into turmoil. But in stepped the calming influence of a beloved assistant, the unassuming Bob Starkey, who led the Lady Tigers to their fourth straight Final Four appearance while dealing with a difficult situation with aplomb. Meanwhile, a little upstart team from the Hudson River valley, a mid-major few outside of Poughkeepsie, NY had even heard of, made a lot of noise in their third trip to the NCAAs. As winners of the MAAC tournament, they received an automatic bid and a #13 seed. But this little upstart team proved that sometimes automatic bids aren’t such a bad thing, as they knocked off #4 seed Ohio State in a first round upset, and then beat MTSU in their second game to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in their third trip ever to the Big Dance. Having never won a game in the NCAAs before last year’s Cinderella run, the clock struck midnight for the Red Foxes when they ran into the Big Orange juggernaut of Tennessee. At the time, I predicted Marist would be back in the tourney this year, as they were returning the bulk of their roster and scoring, and that this time they wouldn’t be sneaking up on anybody.

What a difference a year makes. Both teams are back in the NCAAs, and although LSU and Marist have never faced one another, it’s a safe bet that each is more than a little familiar with who they will be facing in a second round matchup on Monday night in Baton Rouge. LSU boasts All-American and SEC Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles, and a stellar cast that includes 8 seniors who have blossomed under the tutelage of Hall of Fame Coach Van Chancellor. Chancellor has opened up the Lady Tiger offense, giving more of his team the green light to shoot, while maintaining the stellar defense LSU has become known for.

Meanwhile, Marist, after enjoying another stellar year in the MAAC, brings their 32-2 record into this second round matchup and hopes to extend their 22-game win streak which is currently the longest in the nation. But unlike #2 seed LSU’s first round annihilation of Jackson State, Marist had to come from behind to pull out a hard-fought win over DePaul in the first round. Trailing by 11 points midway through the second half, Marist closed the game with a 32-2 run, holding DePaul scoreless for the last 8:30 of the game. Sophomore forward Rachele Fitz led the way with 23 points and junior guard Julianne Viani added 18.

These two teams seem to be very evenly matched on paper. Marist and LSU were two of only six teams invited to the NCAAs to go undefeated in the regular season in conference play. Marist ranks in the Top 25 in the nation in several statistical categories, including 5th in free throw percentage (79.9%), 8th in assist to turnover ratio, 11th in field goal percentage defense, 13th in scoring margin, 14th in fewest turnovers, and 22nd in 3-point field goal percentage.

Probable Starters for LSU:

G Erica White, 5-3 SR: 7.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.4 apg
G RaShonta Leblanc, 5-7 SR: 6.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg
G Quinna Chaney, 5-11 SR: 14.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.2 apg
F Ashley Thomas, 6-0 SR: 5.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.3 spg
C Sylvia Fowles, 6-6 SR: 17.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 60.1 FG %

Probable starters for Marist:

G Nikki Flores, 5-4 SR: 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 84.7% FT
G Julianne Viani, 5-7 JR: 10.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 81% FT
G/F Erica Allenspach, 5-8 FR: 7.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 79.7% FT
F Rachele Fitz, 6-0 SO: 18.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 86.7% FT
C Meg Dahlman, 6-3 SR: 8.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 65.4% FT

My prediction is Marist will give LSU all they can handle early, as they are an intelligent, well-disciplined team, but LSU’s superior athleticism will prevail. LSU’s eight seniors will be playing their last game at Pete Maravich Assembly Center, where they hold a 53-3 all-time record.

Posted under LSU & LeAnne Harrington & NCAA Tournament |