Angel Reese on outsiders thinking LSU was not a cohesive team: 'We took that personal'
Angel Reese put an outsider’s view to bed regarding the LSU women’s basketball team.
LSU is a cohesive unit and some thought that wasn’t the case due to clashing personalities. At least, that was the surface view.
Following a win in the Sweet 16, Reese put that theory to bed.
“Apparently people thought we were just a bunch of individuals so we took that personal, and we do have stars on our team, we do, and people don’t think that we’re supposed to gel together,” Reese said. “We’ve gelled together all year. Some nights it’s me, some nights it’s Neese, some nights it’s Flau’jae (Johnson). It’s so many different players on any given night, and people don’t realize that.
“Like we have a purpose, and our purpose is to get to the championship, and we don’t care who scores. I didn’t lose confidence in my team. I knew they were going to come out and continue to do what they do because we have great players on our team. The best team won tonight. Also the best individuals on the team won, as well. Let’s get that straight.”
Johnson echoed Reese’s comments when the latter fouled out of the game. It just went to show how LSU’s star players were all on the same page.
“I agree. When Angel fouled out, it was like, Flau, you’ve got to step up,” Johnson said. “Know what I’m saying? You’ve got the most experience, know what I’m saying? With Hailey and Neese — we’ve played in this tournament before, so it was like, you’ve got to be the one to step up, know what I’m saying?
“I think that I wasn’t scared of the moment. I really loved the delight. I love that underdog feeling. Coach Mulkey told me go do what you do, and I did.”
That cohesive team will have to bring its ‘A’ game against Iowa, last year’s runner up and whom the Tigers beat in last year’s national final.
“I mean, it’s just another game to help grow women’s basketball,” Reese said. “It’s going to be unfortunate, of course, to play them just in the Regionals, but of course we’re just happy to be a part of it. We’re happy where we are right now. We really can’t complain about it.
“I know a lot of people are going to watch the game, and then the next round more people are going to watch that game. Just keep bringing attention to the game. So I wouldn’t complain about it.”