LSU women's basketball vs. Hawaii: Score prediction, scouting report in March Madness

Cory Diaz, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·3 min read
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Kim Mulkey and her players have said the week LSU women's basketball has had since its last-second loss to the Tennessee Lady Vols in the SEC Tournament semifinals has been "intense."

What better way to erase some disappointment in the conference tournament than hosting the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers (28-2), No. 3 seed, will take on No. 14 seed and Big West Conference Tournament champion Hawaii (18-14) inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Friday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ESPN2).

LSU's Alexis Morris (45) passes the ball against Tennessee in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
LSU's Alexis Morris (45) passes the ball against Tennessee in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

No. 6 seed Michigan (22-9) will play No. 11 UNLV (31-2) in the other game at the PMAC with the two winners facing off in the second round Sunday (TBD).

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Hawaii presents LSU women's basketball with opportune defensive start in March Madness

The Rainbow Wahine plays solid defense. Hawaii averages roughly 60 points per game, while two players average double figures in sophomore guards Lily Wahinekapu and Daejah Phillips at 12.6 and 11 points per game.

LSU's had solid defense from its guards led by senior Alexis Morris, along with Jasmine Carson and freshman Flau'jae Johnson.

Expect big NCAA Tournament first round game from Angel Reese

Everything Tigers' sophomore forward Angel Reese has done up to this point in the season, 29 double-doubles in 30 games along with multiple 20-plus rebound games, has prepped her for a big NCAA Tournament performance.

Reese will be an awful matchup for Hawaii's front court. The Wahine's leading rebounder, Kallin Spiller, manages just 6. 9 rebounds. Expect Reese to put up close to a 20 and 20 game for LSU.

Kim Mulkey has healthy LSU women's basketball team. Something she didn't have last season for March Madness

Morris sat out the postseason for LSU last season, dealing with an injury. The senior point guard is back, healthy at the right time of year, and poised to be an integral piece to LSU's run.

Mulkey's floor general has averaged 15.8 points per game during Southeastern Conference play and put up 28 and 20 points in two SEC Tournament games. She's playing her best basketball.

With Reese and Morris performing the way they are, the one-two punch should thrive against Hawaii in the opening round. Carson and Johnson as well as other forward LaDazhia Williams are all also primed to benefit off of how the Wahine will have to defend LSU's dynamic duo.

Score prediction

LSU 90, Hawaii 67: LSU will be far too much for Hawaii, who's magical run to get to NCAA Tournament will come to an end in the first round in Baton Rouge.

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: March Madness 2023: LSU vs. Hawaii score prediction, scouting report