Colleges

Rematch with LSU to help FSU measure its progress

The Seminoles hope to exact some vengeance for last year's NCAA Tournament loss.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published January 3, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Willie J. Allen, Jr. | Times] Coach Sue Semrau, with Shante Williams, says last year's loss to LSU sent her staff to the drawing board.

The Florida State women's basketball team already has played three nationally ranked teams this season, so you might think a fourth one shouldn't be a big deal.

Well, No.11 LSU is.

The Tigers (10-3) ended FSU's most successful season in March, winning their NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 matchup in Fresno, Calif., 55-43, on their way to the Final Four.

"Right after we lost to them, we put their name on the schedule and circled it; that's how much we've been anticipating this game," FSU sophomore forward Jacinta Monroe said of tonight's showdown in Tallahassee. "It's not to put any of the other teams on the back burner, but this is definitely one we've been looking forward to."

The Seminoles (10-4) could use a signature win; they've lost at DePaul, at Texas A&M and against Georgia in Miami last weekend. But they also can see how far they've come in implementing a different approach.

After the LSU loss, coach Sue Semrau and her staff looked at some common traits of the Final Four teams - how many players went after rebounds, how many free throws they attempted and hit and shooting percentage, which is a reflection of shot selection. The Seminoles' offseason goals were set.

"Understanding what that (playing like a Final Four team) means, which we were able to do after last year's game," she said, "we're now working toward that and this is an opportunity to continue growing."

.Tonight

FSU womenvs. No.11 LSU

When: 7 p.m.Where: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee

[Last modified January 3, 2008, 01:07:27]