In the NCAA postseason, LSU gymnastics receives the top seed. In their regional run, who will the Tigers play?

Introduction

LSU Gymnastics has solidified its position as a powerhouse in collegiate gymnastics, earning the prestigious top seed in the 2025 NCAA postseason. This achievement comes after a dominant regular season and a championship-winning performance at the SEC Tournament. With the regional competitions looming, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Tigers will fare in their quest for another national title. This article will break down LSU’s path to the NCAA championship, examining their regional opponents, key athletes, strengths and weaknesses, and overall postseason expectations.

LSU’s Journey to the Top Seed

The Tigers have enjoyed an incredible season, showcasing consistent excellence in all four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Under the guidance of head coach Jay Clark, LSU finished the regular season undefeated in SEC competition, securing a record-breaking 198.200 at the SEC Championships. Their impressive performances across multiple meets led them to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA postseason.

This seeding not only recognizes their dominance but also gives them a favorable placement in the regional competition, ensuring that they will face lower-ranked teams in the early rounds. However, as history has shown, no team can take their position for granted, as upsets in NCAA gymnastics are not uncommon.

Understanding the NCAA Regional Format

Before diving into LSU’s specific matchups, it’s important to understand how the NCAA gymnastics postseason works. The tournament consists of four regional sites, with each site hosting nine teams. These teams are divided into two play-in meets, followed by two semifinal rounds, and then a regional final. The top two teams from each regional advance to the national championships.

For LSU, their regional site has been placed in Baton Rouge, giving them the advantage of competing on their home floor. This is a major benefit, as competing in a familiar environment with home crowd support can make a significant difference in performance. The Tigers will need to capitalize on this advantage as they prepare to face a mix of elite programs and underdog squads looking to pull off an upset.

LSU’s Regional Opponents

As the top seed, LSU will face the lowest-seeded team from the regional’s play-in round in their semifinal competition. Based on the NCAA selection show, the teams competing in the Baton Rouge Regional alongside LSU are:

• Utah (No. 8 Seed): A perennial gymnastics powerhouse, Utah is known for its depth and consistency. They have been a mainstay in NCAA gymnastics and will pose a significant challenge to LSU should they advance to the regional finals.
• Missouri (No. 9 Seed): An SEC rival, Missouri has steadily improved over the past few seasons. They boast a strong beam lineup and will look to capitalize on any LSU mistakes.
• Michigan (No. 16 Seed): The 2021 NCAA Champions, Michigan remains a formidable opponent with talented gymnasts who can compete at a national level.
• Ohio State (No. 24 Seed): A dark horse in the competition, Ohio State has had a breakout season and will be looking to prove they belong on the national stage.
• Play-in Matchup (Iowa State vs. Arizona State): These two teams will compete for the final spot in the regional semifinals, with the winner facing LSU in their opening round.

LSU’s first matchup will likely be against the winner of the Iowa State vs. Arizona State play-in round. While these teams are ranked significantly lower, LSU will still need to bring their best performance to avoid any surprises.

Key Athletes to Watch

LSU Tigers

• Haleigh Bryant: The reigning NCAA All-Around champion, Bryant is one of the most decorated gymnasts in LSU history. Her powerful vaults and elegant floor routines make her a key asset in the Tigers’ lineup.
• Aleah Finnegan: A standout on beam and floor, Finnegan’s artistry and consistency have made her one of LSU’s most reliable gymnasts.
• Kiya Johnson: Returning from injury, Johnson provides leadership and experience, particularly in high-pressure situations.
• Olivia Dunne: A social media sensation, Dunne has also been a valuable contributor to LSU’s bars and floor lineups.

Potential Challengers

• Utah’s Maile O’Keefe: A beam specialist, O’Keefe has the potential to post high scores that could challenge LSU’s balance beam lineup.
• Michigan’s Gabby Wilson: A dynamic all-around competitor, Wilson can put up big numbers on vault and floor, keeping Michigan in contention.
• Missouri’s Amari Celestine: A standout vaulter, Celestine could challenge LSU’s dominance in this event.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

1. Home Advantage: Competing in Baton Rouge gives LSU a major edge, as they are comfortable with the equipment and will have a supportive crowd.
2. Vault Power: LSU boasts one of the strongest vault lineups in the country, with multiple gymnasts capable of scoring above 9.9.
3. Star Power: With gymnasts like Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan, LSU has elite athletes who can post high all-around scores.

Weaknesses

1. Beam Consistency: While LSU has improved on beam, they have been susceptible to falls in high-pressure situations.
2. Uneven Bars Depth: LSU has solid bar workers, but they may not match the difficulty and execution of teams like Utah and Michigan.
3. Pressure of Being the Top Seed: As the No. 1 seed, LSU faces high expectations and pressure, which can sometimes lead to uncharacteristic mistakes.

Predictions and Expectations

LSU is heavily favored to advance from their regional, given their talent and depth. However, gymnastics is an unpredictable sport, and a single fall or uncharacteristic mistake could open the door for an upset.

Best-Case Scenario:

LSU delivers a flawless performance, winning their regional comfortably and building momentum heading into the national championships. Their stars shine, and they post scores above 198.000, solidifying themselves as the team to beat in the Final Four.

Worst-Case Scenario:

A shaky beam rotation or uncharacteristic falls on bars put LSU in a vulnerable position, allowing a team like Utah or Michigan to steal the regional crown. While LSU could still advance, any struggles in the regionals could indicate trouble ahead in the national championships.

As the No. 1 seed, LSU Gymnastics has everything in place to make a deep run in the NCAA postseason. With a talented roster, strong coaching, and the advantage of competing at home, the Tigers are in a prime position to advance past regionals and contend for a national championship. However, they must remain focused and execute their routines with precision to avoid any potential upsets. Fans will be eagerly watching as LSU embarks on their regional run, hoping to see them continue their dominance on the national stage.