How LSU Women's Basketball Built a Championship Contender This Season

I remember watching LSU's season opener against Colorado and thinking, "This team has something special brewing." Having followed women's college basketball for over a decade, I've seen championship contenders emerge in various ways, but what Kim Mulkey has built in Baton Rouge in just two seasons feels particularly remarkable. It reminds me of how certain programs manage to transform not just their performance but their entire culture - much like how the University of the Philippines basketball program famously exorcised their own curses and turned around decades of frustration. There's something powerful about that kind of transformation that transcends ordinary team building.

When Kim Mulkey took over in April 2021, LSU hadn't reached the NCAA tournament since 2018. The program was stuck in what felt like a perpetual rebuild, finishing 9-13 in her first season. But what many outsiders didn't see was the foundation being laid. Mulkey brought in transfers who fit her system perfectly - Alexis Morris from Rutgers, and later Angel Reese from Maryland. I've always believed that successful rebuilding requires both vision and patience, and Mulkey demonstrated both. She didn't just want good players; she wanted the right players who could handle her intense coaching style and buy into a championship mentality. The transformation reminds me of how some programs manage to break longstanding curses - they don't just improve incrementally but make quantum leaps through cultural shifts.

The real turning point came with Angel Reese's arrival. I've watched her develop since high school, and her decision to transfer to LSU signaled something important was happening. Reese brought not just incredible stats - she's averaging 23.4 points and 15.5 rebounds this season - but an undeniable swagger that elevated everyone around her. When I spoke with college basketball analysts earlier this season, several mentioned how Reese's presence created a domino effect, making LSU more attractive to other transfers and recruits. The team's social media following grew by 47% in the months following her commitment, showing how star power can transform a program's visibility almost overnight.

What impresses me most about this LSU team is how Mulkey blended transfers with homegrown talent. Flau'jae Johnson, the freshman sensation, has provided explosive scoring when needed, averaging 11.2 points while shooting 38% from three-point range. The chemistry between veterans and newcomers developed faster than anyone expected. I recall watching their January game against Tennessee where they erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter - that kind of resilience doesn't happen by accident. It comes from hours in practice developing trust and from a coaching staff that understands how to manage different personalities.

The defensive improvement has been particularly striking. Last season, LSU ranked 145th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 66.3 points per game. This year, they've jumped to 32nd, giving up just 58.1 points. Mulkey's defensive schemes have clearly taken hold, with players showing better communication and help defense. Having studied game tape from both seasons, I can see how their rotations have become more synchronized, how they close out on shooters more effectively, and how they've embraced the gritty identity that championship teams need.

Their bench depth has been another crucial factor. When starting point guard Alexis Morris faced foul trouble in several key games, freshman guard Last-Tear Poa stepped up admirably, averaging 4.2 assists in those contests. That kind of reliable depth separates good teams from great ones. In my experience covering college basketball, I've found that championship contenders typically need at least eight players who can contribute meaningful minutes, and LSU has developed exactly that.

The SEC tournament run demonstrated their growth perfectly. They knocked off Tennessee, then handled a talented Mississippi State team before falling to South Carolina in a hard-fought championship game. Even in that loss, they showed they could compete with the nation's best team. What stood out to me was their poise under pressure - they never looked rattled, even when facing double-digit deficits. That mental toughness comes from having players who've been through battles before, whether at LSU or their previous schools.

As we approach the NCAA tournament, I believe LSU has all the ingredients for a deep run. They have elite talent, experienced coaching, defensive identity, and most importantly, they've learned how to win close games - they're 8-2 in contests decided by five points or fewer. While some analysts question their three-point shooting (they rank 215th nationally at 31.2%), I think their ability to dominate inside and get to the free-throw line more than compensates. They attempt 21.4 free throws per game, which ranks 18th nationally, showing their aggressive approach to attacking the basket.

Looking at this LSU team reminds me why I love college basketball - the possibility of transformation, the way programs can reinvent themselves seemingly overnight. They've built something special in Baton Rouge, combining strategic recruiting with player development and cultural change. While championships are never guaranteed, what Kim Mulkey has accomplished in such short time deserves recognition regardless of how their tournament run ends. They've already proven that with the right vision and execution, turning a program around doesn't have to be a slow, gradual process - sometimes, it can happen in one magical season.