Defense is Just Not Enough: LSU Women’s Basketball Left Much to be Desired on Offense
LSU Women’s Basketball has established itself as a formidable force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) over the years, known for its gritty defense, competitive spirit, and consistent performances. However, as the Tigers have made strides defensively, their offense has remained a notable area of concern. While the defensive prowess of LSU has certainly kept them in the hunt for postseason contention, it is their offensive struggles that continue to haunt them and ultimately limit their potential for success in the highly competitive world of NCAA women’s basketball.
In recent seasons, the LSU Women’s Basketball team has developed a reputation for playing hard-nosed defense that can stifle even the most potent offenses in the SEC. They have found success by slowing down the game, forcing turnovers, and capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes. However, despite this, their offensive struggles have persisted—an issue that has become more apparent as the team has faced stiffer competition in conference play and beyond.
The Tigers’ inability to consistently score and execute on the offensive end has cost them in crucial moments and has led to disappointing performances in high-pressure games. While defense may win championships, a balanced approach that features a potent offense is necessary for sustained success. If LSU Women’s Basketball hopes to compete at the highest level, they will need to find ways to address their offensive inefficiencies while maintaining their strong defensive foundation.
The Strengths of LSU’s Defense: A Pillar of Stability
Before delving into the challenges LSU faces on offense, it’s important to acknowledge the strengths of their defense, which has served as the backbone of the program for years. Head coach Kim Mulkey, who joined LSU in 2021, has been instrumental in shaping a defense-first mentality. Her defensive schemes emphasize pressure on the ball, swarming help defense, and taking away passing lanes. As a result, LSU has consistently ranked among the top teams in the SEC and the nation in defensive metrics, including points allowed, field goal percentage defense, and turnovers forced.
This style of play has made LSU a difficult team to beat, especially against high-scoring opponents. Players like Alexis Morris, who have the ability to disrupt ball handlers and contest shots, have made LSU one of the most feared defensive units in women’s college basketball. The team’s ability to stifle opposing offenses and create fast-break opportunities through steals and defensive rebounds has kept them in many games and allowed them to compete against top-tier teams.
However, as strong as LSU’s defense has been, it cannot carry the team indefinitely, especially against more offensively potent squads in the NCAA Tournament and during the competitive SEC stretch. It’s the offense that has often been the missing link, leaving LSU with much to be desired when it comes to sustaining offensive pressure and closing out games on the right note.
Offensive Struggles: The Inconsistencies
Despite their strong defensive play, LSU’s offense has been their Achilles’ heel for several seasons. The team has often struggled to find rhythm in half-court settings, relying too heavily on individual plays and one-on-one matchups instead of effective team-oriented ball movement. This lack of offensive flow has been particularly evident in games against more disciplined and high-scoring teams, where LSU’s offensive execution falters under pressure.
One of the key issues for LSU’s offense is their inconsistent shooting. While the Tigers have had individual players capable of scoring, such as junior guard Alexis Morris, who can create her own shot, the team as a whole has struggled to shoot efficiently from the field. In particular, LSU has often been too reliant on jump shots, resulting in periods of offensive stagnation when those shots aren’t falling. Additionally, LSU has been prone to prolonged scoring droughts, particularly in tight games, where the inability to consistently put the ball in the basket has proven costly.
The three-point shooting, a critical element of modern college basketball, has also been a major issue for LSU. While they have the athletes to stretch the floor, the Tigers have often lacked the outside shooting consistency that could open up driving lanes and create more offensive opportunities. Without a dependable long-range shooting threat, LSU’s offense becomes more predictable and easier to defend. Opposing teams can pack the paint and collapse on LSU’s post players, knowing that the Tigers are less likely to make them pay with an outside shot.
Another challenge has been LSU’s offensive playmaking. The Tigers have struggled to establish a reliable ball handler who can consistently create offense for teammates. While Morris has been a key scorer for LSU, her playmaking ability has not been enough to elevate the entire team’s offensive production. The lack of a true point guard or a player capable of consistently orchestrating the offense has meant that LSU’s offensive possessions can often feel disjointed and inefficient. The absence of effective ball movement leads to stagnant possessions, which further hampers their offensive output.
The Post-Game Struggles: Need for Inside Scoring
While LSU has some talented players on the perimeter, their post-play and inside scoring have often been inconsistent as well. LSU has had strong post players, but without a true dominant force in the paint, they have struggled to exploit mismatches against other SEC teams with strong interior defenders. While LSU’s bigs are certainly capable of scoring inside, they are often too reliant on getting the ball in specific situations rather than being a constant threat down low.
The lack of a consistent inside presence has compounded their offensive issues. In games where LSU faces tough defensive teams, the absence of a dominant post player becomes apparent, as they can’t consistently exploit defensive breakdowns in the paint. Instead, LSU is often forced to settle for contested jump shots or rely on perimeter players to create their own offense, which can lead to inefficiency and frustration.
Coaching Adjustments: Finding Offensive Flow
Kim Mulkey, who took over the program in 2021, is a coach known for her ability to adapt and build strong teams. Under her leadership, LSU has seen significant improvement in its defensive play, but the offense remains an area that requires focused development. Mulkey has a reputation for building teams that play with intensity and a well-defined structure, but this same attention to detail needs to be extended to LSU’s offensive game if the Tigers are going to take the next step as a program.
One of the adjustments that Mulkey has begun to implement is more structured offensive sets designed to get the ball inside to the post or create open shots on the perimeter. However, these sets have yet to consistently translate into efficient offensive production. LSU has struggled to find the right balance between running plays for the post and allowing players like Morris and others to create their own opportunities in isolation.
The lack of offensive flow could also be due to LSU’s relative youth in some key positions. While they have talented players, the Tigers are still working to find the right chemistry on offense, especially in late-game situations. As the season progresses, it will be critical for LSU to establish a rhythm and develop an offensive identity that can consistently generate points.
The Need for a Balanced Attack: The Road Ahead
If LSU Women’s Basketball is to compete at the highest level and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, they will need to find a way to balance their strong defense with a more potent and consistent offense. The team cannot continue to rely solely on their defense to win games, especially when facing high-powered offenses like those of South Carolina, Tennessee, or other nationally ranked teams.
The key for LSU lies in improving their shooting consistency, particularly from beyond the arc, and creating a more cohesive offensive strategy. Additionally, developing a more reliable ball handler and playmaker will be essential in ensuring the team gets better looks and plays with more flow. LSU needs to continue to develop its post game and make better use of their size and athleticism in the paint.
Another factor to consider is player development. LSU has a wealth of talent, but getting the most out of each player on offense will be essential for them to succeed. This includes developing young players, improving shooting mechanics, and building confidence in game situations. The team also needs to continue to work on their offensive basketball IQ and decision-making, especially in crucial moments when games are on the line.