Florida heads to Baton Rouge for its matchup against LSU knowing exactly what kind of game awaits. All signs point to a physical battle of strength, efficiency and grit.
Coming off of its first win in conference play against Missouri (14-9, 2-6 SEC) eight days ago, Florida aims to keep the momentum going against the No. 6 LSU Tigers (18-2, 4-2 SEC) on Monday at 7 p.m. on the road.
Florida is the underdog in this game, but that's not necessarily an early indication to write this off as a loss. The Gators are stepping into one of the Southeastern Conference’s toughest environments with a little confidence, a little momentum and a clear understanding of the challenge ahead.
LSU doesn’t just play fast or score a lot. The Tigers make opponents earn every inch of the floor. Loose balls get scrappy, rebounds turn into wrestling matches and nothing comes easy around the rim.
Florida knows it can’t just ease into the night. They didn’t against Missouri, and that strong start resulted in an outcome Florida needed.
“We really just focused on playing Gator basketball from the tip,” said Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley.
Despite that sentiment, it is undeniable that LSU is an imposing squad. The Tigers average 99.5 points per game while shooting 53% from the field, a mark that underscores their ability to score efficiently both inside and out.
Their frontcourt is led by senior guard Flau’jae Johnson, who averages 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, and junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who averages 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. All are players who can score in the paint, draw defenders in and create opportunities for shooters.
Comparatively, Florida has averaged 75.7 points per game this season. Sophomore guard Liv McGill leads the way with 23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, showing she can create for herself and others.
Inside, sophomore forward Me’Arah O’Neal adds 14 points and seven rebounds per game, giving Florida a consistent scoring presence near the basket, while junior guard Laila Reynolds stretches defenses with her 12.6 points per game, particularly as a perimeter threat.
LSU is also a rebounding machine, snagging 48.9 a game while Florida grabs 39.6 per game. The Tigers’ physical presence around the rim has been a defining strength, and the Gators will need a collective effort to neutralize it. Matching their intensity around in the paint can be just as important as any scoring run in this contest.
“It’s gonna be a game of toughness,” said Finley.
Turnovers could be a deciding factor in this matchup. Florida has averaged 16.5 turnovers per game this season, while LSU is lower at 14.7 per contest. Limiting careless turnovers on the road will be critical if Florida wants to stay in striking distance, while LSU will look to capitalize on any mistakes to build momentum in front of its home crowd.
Playing in Baton Rouge gives LSU an edge that goes beyond talent and stats. The Tigers are 8-1 at home this season and thrive in front of a passionate crowd that turns every minute event into a cause for uproar.
For Florida, maintaining composure in a hostile environment will be just as important as executing on the court, as the noise could rattle even experienced players.
Despite the challenges, Florida has plenty of reasons to believe it can compete. The Gators have shown they can score in bunches, particularly when McGill, O’Neal and Reynolds are all active in the offense.
Balanced scoring and sharing the ball have allowed Florida to maintain efficiency even against top competition, and the team’s depth gives them multiple scoring options if LSU focuses on shutting down one player.
Though it's easier said than done, Florida needs to crash the boards collectively, contest every shot and limit second-chance opportunities, especially in transition.
Another key will be hitting timely threes. While Florida’s perimeter shooting hasn’t been lights-out all season, a few successful shots from bench players like freshman forward Nyandieng Yiech and junior forward Jade Weathersby at the right moments can swing momentum and open driving lanes for McGill and O’Neal.
To pull off the upset, Florida will need to play to its strengths. Protecting the ball and taking smart shots will be crucial, as careless turnovers have a way of fueling LSU’s fast break. Controlling the tempo and forcing the Tigers to work for every point in the half-court will allow Florida to dictate rhythm and avoid getting caught in the Tigers’ maw.
Energy, focus and poise will be the Gators’ best allies in Baton Rouge, and if they can sustain that for four quarters, a stunning victory is well within reach.
Contact Isis Snow at isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isis_snoww.
Isis is a senior sports journalism student who is in her fourth semester at The Alligator. She previously has written for the Avenue desk and has covered the Florida volleyball beat. She also has experience in live broadcast reporting with WUFT. Despite hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, she is a life-long Michigan and Detroit Lions fan. To make up for the emotional toll of being a fan of those teams, you will often find her in the gym weight lifting and playing basketball.
