LSU women's basketball vs. Hawaii in NCAA Tournament 2023: Our March Madness prediction is in

BATON ROUGE – Advancing past the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament is a goal for Kim Mulkey and LSU women's basketball as the NCAA Tournament gets going this week.

The No. 3 seed Tigers (28-2) match up with No. 14 seed Hawaii inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Friday to kick off their run to accomplish their goal and perhaps beyond. The selection committee announced the game during the Selection Sunday show.

In Mulkey's first season in Baton Rouge last year, LSU won the most games the program had won in 14 years with 26 but its magical season was handed a disappointing end with Ohio State upsetting the Tigers at home in the second round.

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Led by sophomore star forward Angel Reese, LSU is far better positioned to make a run past the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

LSU women's basketball to contend with Hawaii's perimeter-oriented offense

The outside shot is a big component to the Warriors' attack. Hawaii averages knocking down 6.6 3-points per game while attempting 22.

Mulkey mentioned in her press conference following the announcement that LSU will have to contend with the long ball.

Rebounding will be key. And Kim Mulkey, LSU has Angel Reese

One thing about heavily relying on shooting lots of 3's is there will be plenty of opportunity to clean up the misses.

And the Tigers have one of the better rebounders in women's college basketball in Angel Reese. Hawaii's Kallin Spiller is its leading rebounder at 6.9 per game.

Reese pulls down 16 boards on average and she's in position to have a monster performance against the Warriors.

LSU should rediscover motivation in March Madness

After being eliminated by the Tennessee Lady Vols in the SEC Tournament semifinals last week, the Tigers look to reestablish themselves and their identity.

Mulkey said the team attacked the week that she described as "intense", between its ouster in Greenville and Selection Sunday has been positive.

Score prediction

LSU 89, Hawaii 64: LSU is a mismatch for the Warriors at just about every position. Reese will have a big day and expect some quality defense from Jasmine Carson, Alexis Morris and Flau'jae Johnson on the perimeter.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball vs. Hawaii: Score prediction in March Madness