The 2002-03 season set some very high standards for the Lady Tigers. It seems like after all of the injuries and all of the setbacks, the team was able to finally come together mixing the old talent and the new to emerge as one of the top teams in the nation. The challenge to build off last year's success will require filling some key holes but the personnell are there what with Seimone Augustus, Doneeka Hodges, and Temeka Johnson returning. Perhaps the biggest questions are: 1. Just how good is Seimone Augustus? Last year she proved her offensive skills. Is this the year she establishes herself defensively as well? Seimone can take over a game if she needs to. Is this the year where we get to see that? 2. Doneeka Hodges returns as the top 3 pt. shooter on the team but who else will emerge as a zone buster for the Tigers? Augustus demonstrated a three point shot this summer competing for the US in the Czech Republic and most of the new recruits are guards so maybe some three point sharpshooters exist in that group. 3. How will Wendolyn Jones recover from ACL injury. A projected starter in the post, Wendolyn will miss at minimum the very demanding out of conference portion of the schedule. 4. The post was relatively depleted with the graduation of Aiyisha Smith, Detrina White and Kiki Tardy. 6'5" Crystal White will probably anchor down the center position but can she emerge as a consistent threat to score in the interior? Will Florence Williams, Tillie Willis, and Treynelle Clavelle emerge as backups in the post to provide White the opportunity to catch a breather? Overall, I think this team has the players to put up points. They also have an excellent point guard in Temeka Johnson who can score, pass, and play hard nose defense. Tigers should definitely be able to do some damage in the SEC this season.
Crystal White will be a great center at LSU...IMO, next to TJ, she is the best defensive player on the LSU squad...her offensive game will come to her but i expect LSU to rely more on seimone this season
I agree that Seimone will be the focal point of the offense. She has added a three point shot and probably can create some mismatches with her size and post up smaller guards. I think White is going to have to be more of an offensive force once the SEC sits on. LSU is going to have to have potential scoring from all five positions to compete in the conference.
