BATON ROUGE — Looking to build upon last weekend’s upset of No.1 Utah, the 10th-ranked LSU gymnastics team hosts fourth-ranked Alabama on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Maravich Assembly Center.
Two years ago the Crimson Tide came to the Maravich Assembly Center under similar circumstances. LSU had just defeated No. 1 Utah and the Tide came in as the new No. 1 team and fell victim to an upstart Tiger squad.
“A lot of people wonder if it’s difficult to get your team back up after beating the No. 1 team in the country,” said Breaux. “It’s Alabama and that says enough right there. We know we’ll have to be at our absolute best to have an opportunity to win. We’ll need to step it up early like we did last week and battle with them all the way.”
Breaux will be honored at 6:35 p.m. in a pre-meet ceremony recognizing her for 25 years as head coach of the LSU gymnastics program.
Her squad will be looking for its second straight win over Alabama in Baton Rouge. Two years ago the Maravich Assembly Center was host to one of the more dramatic finishes in recent history, as LSU edged Alabama 196.325-196.250 in a wild finish that saw the judges render a decision on the outcome some 15 minutes after the meet had concluded. Alabama avenged the defeat in their last dual meeting a year ago, soundly defeating LSU in Tuscaloosa.
The two teams have seen each other once this season already, as Alabama finished second at the Super Six Challenge in Gainesville on Jan. 11, while the Tigers finished fifth.
“I think Alabama will be a better team than we saw in Gainesville, that was their first competition of the season as well,” added Breaux. “I think we’re a much better team than we were at that point too, however, and hopefully we’ll get a good, supportive crowd that will give us a boost.”
LSU is uncertain as to whether or not it will have the services of top gymnast Nicki Arnstad against Alabama. The senior All-American suffered a mid-foot sprain while delivering a 9.85 on beam against Utah and forced to sit out the floor exercise. Arnstad ranks second in the nation on floor.
The Tigers will get a boost on floor, however, as Beth Boudreaux and Sharene Mamby are both expected to make their season debuts in the event.
In their upset victory over Utah, the Tigers used a strong first rotation, blasting out to a 49.100 on vault to set the tone for the evening. Breaux understands that the Tigers will once again have to get off to a fast start to avoid a deficit, as Alabama will open on bars, an event the Tide leads the nation in. Alabama also boasts the top athlete in the nation on bars in Andree Pickens, an All-American and the SEC Gymnast of the Year each of the past two seasons.
“We need to come out sharp because they start on an event that is definitely one of their best,” said Breaux. “We can’t dig a hole for ourselves, we have to answer the call right off the bat.”
Following the Tigers showdown with Alabama, LSU hits the road for a tough test at No. 15 Denver next Saturday night. LSU is returning the visit after handing Denver a 195.450-194.275 setback in Baton Rouge a year ago.