LSU at Florida

Recap

The Big Storyline: This was touted as the most anticipated regular season SEC match-up of the season, and it lived up to the hype. The Tigers lead the Gators by 0.025 heading to the final rotation after Florida was forced to count Trinity Thomas’s 9.700 on beam. Florida put the meet out of reach, however, with an unbelievable 49.800 on floor. While the final scores are debatable (see the controversies section below), this meet proved that these are two evenly matched teams that could be very tough to beat come postseason. 

Implications: Florida and LSU will hang on to the first and second spots in the SEC, but Florida will move up to second nationally. Haleigh Bryant, who has been struggling with plantar fasciitis this season, was pulled from the beam lineup after a short landing on floor. The Tigers’ path to postseason glory will be much more difficult if Bryant is limited. 

Records: Kiya Johnson scored a career-high 9.950 on vault. Thanks to her second career 10, Reed has scored 9.925 or higher on her last 18 floor routines. 

Controversies: To absolutely no one’s surprise, the scoring ranged from “plausible” to “mathematically impossible,” and the resulting fan discourse has been every bit as intense as you’d expect from two such passionate fan bases.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 5 LSU at No. 4  Florida 

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: The most anticipated SEC meet of the season has arrived. And while this season the pressure from other conference rivals is more intense than ever, LSU and Florida remain the top two teams in the conference based on current scoring averages. The arena will be loud, the pressure will be on and it may just foreshadow a few postseason lineups as the stakes are high. Both programs have been resting athletes to prioritize health for postseason. 

What We’re Watching: While this could be a glimpse at the SEC championship title, it’s also an opportunity for both teams to hit pressure sets in a big competition setting. In prior years the programs have faltered when the lights shone bright, and with Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri and Alabama coming up the rankings, it’s important for both teams to perform at new heights when the pressure is at its highest. 

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Trinity Thomas and Kiya Johnson are expected to make their second appearances in the all-around. Kiya Johnson scored a perfect 10 in her first appearance on floor last week, and Trinity Thomas completed the gym slam earlier this season.