NC State vs. LSU: How to watch Aneesah Morrow and Flau'Jae Johnson's scorching squad in the Sweet 16
In what Vegas predicts to be the closest game of Friday's Sweet 16 slate, LSU's star-laden offense goes against hot-shooting and fast-breaking NC State. The Tigers are narrow favorites in Spokane, though this Wolfpack core has Final Four experience from last year.
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Kim Mulkey and the Tigers clawed their way through a trendy Florida State squad, closing their second-round beatdown up a full 30 points after being up just one at halftime. The Tigers' big three did its thing. Aneesah Morrow had a masterful 26/11/7 line, Mikaylah Williams scored 28 points on just 12 field goal attempts and Flau'jae Johnson led the decisive third-quarter run. However, it was Sa'Myah Smith who truly stole the show with 9-for-9 shooting in a team-high 36 minutes.
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LSU beat the brakes off of San Diego State in the opening round. It made an Elite Eight run last tournament and won it all the year prior.
Wes Moore paces the sideline of a spirited and well-calibrated NC State Wolfpack. They went a smooth 15-for-30 on 3-pointers in their second-round demolition of Michigan State. Seniors Aziaha James and Madison Hayes are both long-range heat-checkers; fellow senior Saniya Rivers has a championship ring from her freshman season in South Carolina and dropped 11 dimes to one turnover against the Spartans.
Friday will mark the end of several esteemed college hoop careers on one side. It will take the other side to the Elite Eight of a wide-open tournament field.
This matchup can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Streaming and Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Mikaylah Williams and Aneesah Morrow: Tyler Kaufman / Getty Images)
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