LSU women's basketball vs. Virginia Tech: Final Four score prediction, scouting report

Cory Diaz, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·3 min read
19

DALLAS ― The disparity in Final Four appearances between head coaches Kim Mulkey and Kenny Brooks – even the teams themselves – could be alarming for the casual women's basketball fan.

This trip to Dallas for the women's Final Four marks the fifth team Mulkey has guided a team to the national semifinals – the first with LSU women's basketball in just her second season in Baton Rouge. On the other side, Virginia Tech storms into the Final Four for the first time, marking Brooks' first time as a head coach.

LSU (32-2) meets the Hokies (31-4) for a chance to play for the national championship at inside American Airlines Center on Friday (6 p.m., ESPN).

All-time, the Tigers have made it to five Final Fours, five consecutive trips from 2004-08, but this is the first time they've been back since.

ANGEL REESE'S MOM LSU women's basketball fans confuse Angel Reese and mother with dating requests on social media

POEM HELPS PROPREL LSU TO FINAL FOUR How poem propelled 'underdog' LSU women's basketball to Final Four in Kim Mulkey's 2nd season

LSU EDGES MIAMI TO RETURN TO FINAL FOUR LSU defeats Miami to reach women's NCAA Tournament Final Four

Mulkey, LSU hold pedigree edge

Mulkey has been quick and adamant to say that her team shouldn't still be playing basketball this late into March. Ahead of the season, the Tigers' goal was to advance to one more round of the NCAA Tournament than they did last year.

Not only has Mulkey led LSU past the second round, she's put the program back into the Final Four, a true mark of distinction. And that's just something Brooks and the Hokies aren't used to at this point.

Mulkey has things she can draw back on. Virginia Tech does not.

Angel Reese vs. Elizabeth Kitley: Matchup made in heaven

For the first time in March Madness, LSU star forward Angel Reese faces off against an opposing player that attacks the boards just as hard as she does.

Virginia Tech star and projected high WNBA Draft pick Elizabeth Kitley averages a double-double, 18 points and 11 rebounds per game, and is the driving force for the Hokies' Final Four run.

Reese has had an historic NCAA Tournament run herself, averaging 22 points, 17 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.5 steals in four games.

Whoever gets the better of this matchup will have their team in the best position to advance to the title game Sunday.

Virginia Tech women's basketball riding 15-game win streak

Only the No. 1 team in the country and reigning national champion South Carolina, which are back in the Final Four for the third straight season and looking to keep its title, has a longer active winning streak than Virginia Tech.

The sustained emergence of guard Georgia Amoore, coupled with Kitley, has fueled the Hokies' accomplishments this season, including an ACC Tournament championship. Amoore has 20 or more points in six straight contests and had a season-high 29 points against Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Virginia Tech's last loss was Jan. 26 at No. 16 Duke and it has since beaten seven ranked opponents.

Score prediction

Virginia Tech 82, LSU 74: Mulkey and LSU run out of magic in the Final Four as the Hokies' dynamic duo of Kitley and Amoore prove to be a bit too much for the Tigers.

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. Virginia Tech: Final Four scouting report