Hailey Van Lith decided to transfer from Louisville to LSU because she wanted to grow her game. The 5-foot-7 sharpshooter was the primary scorer with the Cardinals but fits more as a traditional 1 on the next level. Her time with the Tigers gives her a legitimate chance at a national title and is also forcing her to evolve in her new role.
It is slowly coming together, as we saw in Knoxville on Saturday! Van Lith went for a season-high 26 points in 37 minutes.
There has been a lot of frustration throughout Van Lith’s first year in Baton Rouge. A hot mic caught Angel Reese yelling at her to shoot during a loss to South Carolina and she looked absolutely baffled by Kim Mulkey’s play call in an upset loss to Mississippi State. The four-time national championship head coach later said that her star transfer needs to stop caring about perception.
Van Lith was also turning the ball over once per 1.3 assists at the start of SEC play. That won’t do and she knows that. It’s not like the fourth-year senior isn’t willing to take accountability.
I haven’t been completely myself. I’ve had moments. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’ve been inconsistent. I’ve had games where I was myself, then the next game I don’t play like myself. That’s on me, that’s not on anyone besides me. It’s my job to bring it every game and I’ve accepted that responsibility.
— Hailey Van Lith earlier this month
In an effort to get her going, Mulkey has presented Van Lith with more opportunities as a 2 while Last-Tear Poa sees more time as the 1. They have found a good balance, but the latter is still getting plenty of time at the point and seems to be finding a groove.
Hailey Van Lith was cooking in Knoxville!
LSU played Tennessee in the Volunteer State on Sunday. Van Lith got on a roll.
She finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists, without a turnover, and had ice in her veins.
Her coldest shot of the game came at the end of the first quarter. Aneesah Morrow moved out to the top of the key to set a screen for Van Lith— who called her off and hit a triple before the buzzer.
Even though Van Lith led the team in scoring, they still didn’t get her enough shots. One particular possession shortly before her buzzer-beater is the perfect example. Freshman phenom Mikaylah Williams backed herself into a miss instead of dishing the ball back out to her guard on the give-and-go.
Van Lith was wide open from three and was clearly frustrated by the possession!
Hailey Van Lith be going through it😂
— Future Of The Retro (@TraeK_) February 25, 2024
Getting looked off, bigs not accepting that you dont wanna ball screen. Tough world to cook in lol pic.twitter.com/kM51G1Ri6Y
It was not the first time that LSU’s newest weapon has had to beg for the ball this season. There is so much talent in the Bayou Bengals lineup and Van Lith has been focused on her new position, which certainly plays a role in the volume.
Still, Sunday proved that she needs more shots. If Hailey Van Lith is clicking alongside Reese, Williams and the rest of LSU’s remarkably talented roster, there is no reason that they should not go back-to-back!