By Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE- The LSU Lady Tiger basketball team heads into the SEC tournament this weekend with the hopes of continuing its successful season.
This has been a special season for the Lady Tigers. Sue Gunter earned her 600th victory in the Tigers triumph over Arkansas on Jan. 13 at Fayetteville. The Lady Tigers set a school record with 11 conference wins and have been ranked consistently in the top 10 this season.
The 10th ranked Lady Tigers have struggled in the SEC tournament in the past, however. Last year they didnt win a game in the tournament falling to Kentucky 81-71 in the second round. The Lady Tigers had a first round bye in 1999.
The team would like to change that this year and will look toward two leaders in senior Katrina Hibbert and top scorer Marie Ferdinand.
“We just want to go out and play hard. We understand that its one and done from now on in the post season. We need to rest and focus on these games,” said Ferdinand.
The one-and-done concept puts al lot of pressure on all teams during the post season.
“We cant let the pressure get to us. I think we know we can make a run if we limit turnovers and play at our best. The key to fighting pressure is to play good defense and let that lead to offense,” explained Ferdinand.
The Lady Tigers are hoping to peak heading into the postseason. As expected the teams on top of their game at this time are the most successful teams.
“I think we are ready to peak, weve picked up the practice level and we know its time to play well,” said Hibbert.
If the Tigers advance to the final four of the SEC tournament by defeating their first opponent, a rematch against Tennessee is likely.
While some may cringe at the thought, based on the Lady Vols two convincing wins over the Lady Tigers this season, the start of the SEC Tournament is a new season and traditionally, the Lady Tigers have played Tennessee well. Look no further than last years thrilling victory over the Lady Vols in Baton Rouge when Hibbert scored 18 points and hit a crucial shot at the end of the game ensuring victory for the Lady Tigers. “We are confident, but we cant look past that first game, Ive yet to win an SEC tournament game since Ive been here so we cant look past our first opponent. But if we do play Tennessee perhaps a little payback will be in our minds after they beat us twice this year,” explained Hibbert.
Its been nearly 10 years since the Lady Tigers first and only SEC Tournament title in 1991. But a No. 10 ranking and victories such as the Lady Tigers triumph at Athens over second-ranked Georgia should be reason enough to include LSU in any discussion of possible victors in Chattanooga this weekend.