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

I remember watching LSU's season opener against Bellarmine back in November, and honestly, I wasn't convinced they had what it takes to compete for championships. They won comfortably enough, 125-50, but there were defensive lapses and moments of offensive stagnation that made me question whether this team could truly compete with South Carolina or UConn. Fast forward to March, and my perspective has completely shifted - this team has transformed into a legitimate title contender through what I consider one of the most impressive coaching jobs of Kim Mulkey's career.

The transformation really began with their defensive intensity. Early in the season, opponents were shooting nearly 42% from the field against them, but over their last 15 games, that number dropped to around 36%. That's not just marginal improvement - that's a fundamental shift in how they approach the game defensively. I've been particularly impressed with Angel Reese's development as an interior defender. She's averaging 3.2 blocks per game in conference play, up from 1.8 last season. When your star player buys into defensive improvement that dramatically, it sends a message to the entire roster. The way they've embraced defensive accountability reminds me of championship teams I've covered throughout my 15 years covering women's basketball.

What's fascinating about LSU's rise is how it contrasts with other teams that couldn't quite get over the hump. I'm reminded of the situation with TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association, where despite 11 years of building and competing, they fell short against San Miguel in the Philippine Cup title series. That's the reality of sports - building a contender doesn't guarantee championships. LSU faced similar questions last season when they fell in the tournament's second round despite having tremendous talent. The difference this year appears to be their mental toughness in close games. They've won 8 games decided by 5 points or fewer, including that thrilling overtime victory against Tennessee where they erased a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation.

The offensive evolution has been equally impressive. Early in the season, they relied too heavily on isolation plays and individual brilliance. Now, they're moving the ball with purpose - their assists have increased from 14 per game in non-conference play to nearly 21 in SEC games. Alexis Morris has developed into the floor general they desperately needed, averaging 7.2 assists over their current 12-game winning streak. When I spoke with Coach Mulkey after their win against Georgia last week, she emphasized how the players have bought into "winning basketball" rather than individual statistics. That cultural shift is often the difference between good teams and great ones.

Recruiting obviously plays a huge role in their ascent. Landing Flau'jae Johnson, the nation's number 3 recruit, gave them an immediate impact player who's averaging 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. But what's impressed me more is how Mulkey has developed the existing roster. Last-Tear Poa has gone from a role player to a legitimate scoring threat, improving her scoring average from 4.1 to 11.3 points per game. That kind of player development is what separates elite programs from the rest of the pack.

Their path to championship contention hasn't been perfect though. The loss to South Carolina exposed some real concerns about their ability to handle elite size and physicality. They were outrebounded 48-32 in that game, including surrendering 21 offensive rebounds. That's not championship-level basketball, and I suspect Mulkey has been drilling that point home in practices since. The good news is they've responded well, winning their next seven games by an average margin of 18 points.

Looking at their remaining schedule, I see about four games that will truly test their championship mettle. The rematch with South Carolina on February 26th looms large, as does their regular season finale against Mississippi State. If they can split those games while maintaining their intensity against lesser opponents, they should secure a top-2 seed in the NCAA tournament. From there, anything can happen, but I like their chances more than I did three months ago.

What ultimately convinces me they're legitimate contenders is their balance. They have scoring (averaging 82.1 points per game), defense (holding opponents to 39% shooting), depth (9 players averaging at least 12 minutes per game), and most importantly, they have a coach who's won championships before. Mulkey's three national titles at Baylor give her credibility that few coaches can match. When she tells her team they can win it all, they believe her because she's been there before.

The comparison to teams that couldn't finish their championship quest, like the TNT squad that fell to San Miguel after 11 years of building, serves as both caution and motivation. Championships aren't guaranteed to anyone, regardless of how much talent you assemble or how many games you win in the regular season. But what LSU has built this season gives them as good a chance as anyone to cut down the nets in Dallas. They've addressed their weaknesses, built on their strengths, and perhaps most importantly, they believe they can win it all. In tournament basketball, that belief sometimes matters as much as talent. I wouldn't bet against them making a deep run - this team has that special quality you only see in genuine contenders.