SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Tonight, Arizona freshman Natalie Jones will get her first taste of NCAA Division I basketball, as the Wildcats take on third-ranked LSU at 7 in McKale Center.

The Arizona women's basketball team will tip off its much-anticipated season tonight when it faces No. 3 Louisiana State at McKale Center at 7.

With one of the best recruiting classes in the history of the program and the majority of the players returning from last year's team, the Wildcats can't wait to begin the new season.

Though it is often hard to tell exactly where a team is after playing just two exhibition games, the team will quickly find out what it takes to play with the class of the nation.

"The exhibition games were great, but this game will really let us know where we stand and what we need to improve on," said sophomore guard Dee-Dee Wheeler.

Senior guard Julie Brase said she is anxious to start her final season.

"We are ready to play someone else besides ourselves. It's always fun to get the season going," Brase said.

One thing that might not be so fun is facing the third-ranked team in the nation.

The Tigers return every starter from an 18-12 team last year and are coming off a second-round loss in the NCAA tournament.

LSU is very similar to the Wildcats ÷ they have quick guards and good depth. Wheeler said keeping up with the Tigers from the tipoff will be important.

"It's very important to get off to a great start," Wheeler said. "It will help us gain confidence and it will show us that we can stay with (LSU). As long as we can stay with them, our confidence will keep building and everyone will come to play."

Brase said setting the rhythm and maintaining it will be vital in the bid for an upset.

"It's really important to come out hard," said Brase. "We are at home ÷ we have to come out strong and set the tempo."

The Tigers are led by senior center Aiysha Smith. She averaged 16 points per game last season and added over seven rebounds per contest.

Arizona will counter with a talented center of its own. Freshman Shawntinice Polk has played well in the Wildcats' first two exhibition games. She averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

This will be only the second time that the two schools have met. The Wildcats won the first meeting 71-62 in 1972.

Another historical fact that bodes well for Arizona is its previous season starts. The Wildcats have opened their last seven season with a win, and have started 5-1 or better in six of the 11 previous seasons that head coach Joan Bonvicini has been at the helm.

"We'll be ready to play," said Bonvicini. "We're ready to compete."