LSU women’s basketball at Tennessee Lady Vols: Score prediction, scouting report

Who’s behind No. 1 South Carolina in the SEC has been a question for weeks.

LSU women’s basketball could supply the official answer by taking down Tennessee on the road inside Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday (11 a.m. ESPN).

A win would secure one of the SEC Tournament’s top 4 seeds for the No. 13 Tigers (23-4, 10-3 SEC) and would put them squarely in the driver’s seat for No. 2. They need two wins out of their final three games to lock up the 2-seed for the conference tournament, which starts March 6 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Kim Mulkey and LSU have won five straight games, including a physical matchup with Auburn on Thursday night inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU women’s basketball must limit Rickea Jackson

You don’t shutdown Lady Vols senior star Rickea Jackson. You can only hope to limit her.

Mulkey said earlier this week that she believes Jackson is one of the top draft choices in this spring’s WNBA Draft. Jackson’s play, and what she’s meant for Kellie Harper and Tennessee, have proven as much.

The 6-2 combo player is second in the SEC in scoring behind Angel Reese at 18.9 points per game. Jackson also records 7.9 rebounds per game. Her versatility and offensive prowess makes her the focal point of any team’s scouting report for the Lady Vols but her skill set can’t be completely stopped.

Angel Reese will want to get Tennessee C Tamari Key in foul trouble

LSU’s best shot at success in Knoxville will be to feed the ball early and often to Reese inside for a number of reasons.

Yes, Reese is the league’s top scorer and rebounder, posting 19.4 points and 12.8 rebounds and has only seen her impact, looks and usage expand during conference play.

But the 6-4 forward will play a heavy role in LSU’s gameplan as it’ll want to get Tennessee center Tamari Key in foul trouble. Key is a vital part to the Lady Vols’ success and what they want to do in games, especially contests like this. The 6-6 shot-blocker is one of the top rim protectors in women’s college basketball and if LSU can force her to pick up some early fouls, the path to victory becomes much easier.

How Mikaylah Williams can swing the game for Kim Mulkey, LSU

Inside the post will be where all eyes gravitate to in the LSU-Tennessee matchup. And rightly so, Reese-Key and Aneesah Morrow likely guarding Jackson will be popcorn-worthy television.

That’s where LSU having someone on the perimeter having a big scoring outing could be pivotal. To me, freshman Mikaylah Williams could be a matchup that Mulkey and her staff exploits on the offensive end.

Williams, with her bigger frame and ability to create space off the dribble, will be hard for Tennessee to handle on the wings. And Williams is an above average passer as well so if the Lady Vols crash on her, she can find the open teammate. She had six assists in the South Carolina game earlier this year.

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The past couple of games have been a struggle for Williams, but the freshman is primed for a breakout and she loves the big games.

LSU women’s basketball score prediction at Tennessee

LSU 72, Tennessee 68: Much like the Auburn game, this one will be ugly, physical and gritty for LSU. But thanks to its much-improved defense, LSU gets just enough stops on Rickea Jackson late to fend off the Lady Vols.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.