| It was just an exhibition game, a glorified scrimmage if you will between top-10 NCAA women's basketball power LSU and little LSU-Alexandria from the NAIA level. But Wednesday's game was big for another reason: It marked the return to the court of LSU forward Sa'Myah Smith after suffering a devasting knee injury in a game in November 2023 in the Cayman Islands. The result: 12 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes court time. On the whole, LSU coach Kim Mulkey was well pleased. "She's been away from the game a year," Mulkey said. "I think her hands will get better — I thought she just spun her fingers a little bit tonight. But it sure is good to have her back." The Tigers routed LSU-Alex (Box Stadium ... sorry, just having a little fun with the name) 117-37 despite playing just eight players. A few were out with a variety of ailments. That included star shooting guard Mikaylah Williams with a turned ankle that didn't need testing just five days before the Tigers' season opener Monday against Eastern Kentucky. The most curious no show was veteran guard Last-Tear Poa. Perhaps this has something to do with it and perhaps not, but Poa reportely is suing the U.S. government over being denied a visa that would allow her to make NIL deals. Poa is from Australia. Is that why she hasn't played in either of LSU's exhibition games? Doesn't seem to be the case. Will her case become precedent setting? Another question without a current answer. But, as always it seems, there is a backdrop of drama with the LSU women's program. Why did LSU struggle to defend the quarterback run so badly Saturday when Texas A&M put backup quarterback Marcel Reed in the game? Coach Brian Kelly addressed the postgame talk from linebacker Greg Penn that LSU didn't prepare for Reed (who has started three games), but also that the Tigers' biggest problem was execution. In my column dissecting the game from the perspective of a few extra days, I observed that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier needs to be better to avoid unnecessary risks leading to what is already the highest interception total for an LSU quarterback (nine) since 2010. But I also point out that the Tigers' need to give Nuss some help from the running game. Finally, back to women's hoops, where our Reed Darcey has produced one of his masterpiece profiles on LSU star/rap star Flau'jae Johnson. He even went to her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, to work on the story. Well worth your time to read. That's all we've got today, folks. For the love of LSU's Billy Cannon, we hope you will have a happy and safe halloween and join us next time. Scott Rabalais | 
