College basketball fans plead with LSU stars to return for another year

Joe Vitale

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College basketball fans plead with LSU stars to return for another year image

College basketball fans were treated to a show on Monday night when the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers squared off in an epic Elite Eight battle. 

Caitlin Clark and Iowa would win and advance to the Elite Eight, sending LSU home and leaving its star players with some serious decisions to make regarding their futures. 

If it were Angel Reese's final game in an LSU jersey, she left it all on the court. Reese was dominant, especially in the first half. She fouled out in the fourth quarter but finished the game with 17 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. 

And there's Hailey Van Lith, the 5-foot-7 guard who spent three years at Louisville before playing for LSU in 2023. 

As LSU head coach Kim Mulkey pointed out following the loss, both Reese and Van Lith have a decision to make:

“I hope it’s not her last game. But if it is, I’m proud to have been her coach for a year,” Mulkey said. “She’s got another year if she wants to come back. So does Angel (Reese). I know they have to make decisions."

Fans have began campaigning for the two to return to LSU next season and make another run at the national title. 

"I think Angel Reese gotta come back one more year. She has more work to do in my opinion," one fan posted to social media.

"I know it’s Angel Reese’s decision about her future. But, I’d like to see her come back to LSU next season before going to the WNBA. Either way, she finished the night with 17 points and 20 rebounds and 4 assists," added another.

"Van lith and Angel Reese should come back for they 5th year and dominate," said another.

 

Joe Vitale

Joe Vitale Photo

Joe Vitale is the founder of UGA Football Live, the largest independent social brand covering UGA football. Previously, he served as the editor at USA TODAY Sports Media Group's UGAWire.com, launching it as the network's inaugural College Wire site. He was also the college football editor at Athlon Sports, which was part of the ISports Illustrated Media Group at the time. He currently resides in Manhattan.