LSU star Angel Reese to return against Virginia Tech

Nearly seven months after playing LSU at the Final Four in Dallas, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will get a rematch with the Tigers following their 79-72 loss. Last season Angel Reese had a tremendous Final Four for LSU on their way to beating the Hokies and Iowa to win the National Championship.

In the second half of a game on Nov. 14, LSU coach Kim Mulkey benched her start for the second half against Kent State and missed the next four games. Her coach has been asked about Reese’s status since her absence began but refused to comment. Wednesday, one day ahead of the rematch with Virginia Tech, Mulkey announced that her star will return to the lineup against the Hokies in the ACC/SEC Challenge in Baton Rouge on Thursday night.

Angel Reese to return against Virginia Tech

At her press conference with the media Wednesday, Mulkey announced that Reese will return against Virginia Tech for the 7-1 No. 7 Tigers.

“It’s a boost having her back,” Mulkey said. “She’s a tremendous player, one of the best in the country. She gives us a good matchup with [Elizabeth] Kitley, but it’s not just for this game — it’s for the rest of the season.”

It’s not surprising in the least bit that Reese is coming back against the No. 9  Hokies. She did not travel to the Cayman Islands Classic last weekend but leave it to Mulkey and Reese to make the dramatic return at home, against Virginia Tech, and on national TV on ESPN a 9 p.m. Perfect theater for both of them.

Even with Reese’s status in question, you got the got feeling that she was going to return against the Hokies. LSU is dealing with injuries and survived Virginia, 76-73, on Saturday on the Cayman Islands.

This is the second Top match-up for Virginia Tech after they dropped an 80-76 decision to Iowa on Nov. 9.