LSU vs Iowa: 2023 Women’s NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule, predictions

LSU Tigers

5th nationally in scoring at 81.8 ppg

Angel Reese averages 23.2 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 2.2 apg

Wins over Hawaii, Michigan, Utah, Miami, and Virginia Tech

The Tigers have their own All-American in Reese, a 6’3 forward that had at least six games of 30+ points, along with double-digit rebounds in all but two games. She’s the best frontcourt player in the sport and was named to an All-SEC defensive team. Reese has two other double-digit scorers in Alexis Morris (14.9 ppg and 4.1 apg) and Flau’jae Johnson.

LSU is good at just about everything on both ends. They’re twice as good as South Carolina from three-point range, although none of their frontcourt players can spread the floor. The team ranks in the top-5 in free throw attempts and makes and while they aren’t as big as South Carolina, they also are good on the boards.

The one big advantage for the SEC team is on the sidelines. Coach Kim Mulkey is a top-3 coach in the game, with five Final Four appearances and a trio of national championships (2005, 2012, 2019) during her days at Baylor. She’s already taken LSU to the national title game for the first time in program history, taking on Lisa Bluder of Iowa, in her first Final Four appearance in 21 seasons.

Prediction: This is a fairly evenly matched game. Coach Bluder might not have the resume as Mulkey but after beating Dawn Staley of South Carolina, she’s ready for the moment. And so is Clark, who is having the greatest run in NCAA Tournament history. Look for another major performance from her and Iowa as they cut down the nets to win its first national title.

Prediction: Iowa 83, LSU 77