EUGENE, Ore. — The top-seeded LSU women’s basketball team practiced for just more than an hour during its second day in Oregon on Thursday, getting used to the two-hour time change and taking time out for a little R&R. Take a look at the Photo Gallery from the second day in Eugene.
The third-ranked Lady Tigers (27-3) worked through a typical practice at Eugene’s Marist High School. The team went through warm-up and stretching drills before reviewing Southwest Texas’ offensive strategy and focusing on the changes the much-improved Bobcats have made since their meeting on Dec. 21. LSU won 91-40 in Baton Rouge.
After going over the game plan, the Lady Tigers worked on individual shooting and screening drills on both ends of the court and concentrated on rebounding and defending during a “no dribble” drill. Later, the team practiced 3-on-2 and then 5-on-5 full court.
Once practice had concluded, the Lady Tigers returned to the team hotel to change clothes for a dinner at the Eugene Electric Company Restaurant and an evening at the movies.
While the players went to the movies, the coaches visited with the school’s Nike representative who is headquartered in Eugene about the team’s future relationship with the world’s most recognized athletic outfitting company.
Nike CEO and former Oregon athlete Phil Knight is the premiere sponsor of the University of Oregon and it’s athletics department, and this influence is visible throughout the athletics complex and the University campus on billboards, buildings and other memorabilia.
On Friday at 2 p.m., the Lady Tigers will practice for the first time at venerable McArthur Court, the site of the NCAA’s first and second-round games. Afterward, coach Sue Gunter and selected members of the team will participate in the first official press conference of the tournament.
NOTES and QUOTES:
- Coach Gunter told LSUsports.net that she’s never coached a college basketball game in Oregon, however, she visited the cities of Beaverton and Portland two years ago for a Nike coaches’ tour. “When I think about Oregon and Eugene, I think about its great track and field history,” Gunter said after practice on Thursday. Oregon’s Hayward Field, the centerpiece of “Track City USA,” has played host to nine NCAA Track and Field Championships, six national championships, three Olympic Trials and 30 editions of the world-famous Prefontaine Classic.
- When asked about the state of her team, Gunter said, “They’re ready. They’re hungry. They’re chomping at the bit. They’re ready to get back on the court as soon as they can.”