Coach Kim Mulkey and the Tigers are officially less than 24 hours away from an Elite Eight matchup vs. Iowa. As we prepare for what’s likely to be one of the best battles of the season, LSU guard Hailey Van Lith spoke a bit about her recent offensive struggles and what she’s prioritizing heading into the matchup.
LSU guard Hailey Van Lith prioritizing winning plays ahead of Elite Eight matchup vs. Iowa
The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament hasn’t been kind to LSU guard Hailey Van Lith as it pertains to the offensive side of the court. Having scored just 18 total points over the last three games combined while shooting a mere 20 percent from the floor, nothing has come easy for the veteran transfer addition.
However, lucky for the Tigers, she hasn’t exactly needed to be a threat as far as scoring goes. Instead, she’s been about as consistent as we’ve seen on defense, making life difficult for opposing teams every time she checks into the game.
Since the start of the tournament, the senior guard has recorded an impressive six steals and 11 assists, and her efforts certainly aren’t going unnoticed by Tiger head coach Kim Mulkey.
“Hailey Van Lith had a heck of a game yesterday and people didn’t even realize it,” coach Mulkey said during Sunday’s media availability. “Five assists, one turnover, three steals, took a big charge at the end, got her one and only rebound at the end. Those things matter when you’re a point guard trying to control a game and hang onto a win. And she’s gotta keep doing that. She’ll hit some jumpers.”
Even better, Mulkey isn’t the only one who understands the importance of what she’s done so far. Van Lith herself somewhat echoed the head coach’s sentiments, explaining that she’s not so concerned with what the stat sheet says. Instead, she’s more focused on winning and continue building towards the ultimate goal: a national championship.
“I think at the end of the day, I’m just trying to make winning plays, and I think in the fourth quarter, I was able to come up with some winning plays for us. I would rather be known as a winner than a scorer, because at the end of the day, if all you’re gonna ask me to do is score, that’s something I can definitely do. So, I think at this point it’s about making winning plays.”
Important to keep in mind, Hailey Van Lith is no stranger to the concept of winning. As a part of the Louisville women’s basketball program, she made it to the Elite Eight all three years, going as far as the Final Four during the 2022 campaign, falling just short to the eventual national champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
Now, with coach Kim Mulkey, it’s time for her to achieve something she’s never done, and that’s to make it all the way to the biggest stage in the sport.
If she’s going to make it happen, though, it all starts with tomorrow, Monday, April 1, as the Tigers will take on Caitlin Clark and Iowa for the second season in a row. The game will be available to watch live at 6:00 p.m. CST on ESPN from Albany, NY.
It will not only be a test for the senior guard, but for the LSU women’s basketball team as a whole. Still, if everyone continues to play their role and make winning plays as Van Lith has all postseason, coach Kim Mulkey‘s squad is capable of achieving anything.
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