Mulkey is the headliner of this show
Chris Guillot is known throughout baseball stadiums in the Southeastern Conference as LSU’s Mr. Super Fan, who exhorts the Tigers for nine innings.
The No. 1-ranked LSU baseball team had a key SEC series against top-five Arkansas this past weekend. But, Guillot was not at The Box while the Tigers were taking two of three games from the Razorbacks.
Guillot was in Greenville (S.C.) encouraging the LSU women’s basketball team to reach its first Final Four in 15 years. That’s the magnetism of Tigers coach Kim Mulkey, who came to know Guillot when her son Kramer Robertson was playing shortstop for LSU.
Director of Athletics Scott Woodward hired the Louisiana native Mulkey away from Baylor to return the Tigers to the national spotlight in women’s basketball. Well, it has taken Mulkey just two seasons to accomplish that goal.
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A 54-42 victory over Miami on Sunday night wrapped up a regional title for LSU, which will face either Ohio State or Virginia Tech in the national semifinals Friday in Dallas.
The Tigers’ Final Four drought in women’s basketball is over. Remember LSU appeared in five consecutive Final Fours from 2004-2008. The names associated with those teams are Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles and Temeka Johnson – three All-America players.
Three different coaches ran the Tigers in those five trips – Pokey Chatman (2004-2006), current LSU assistant Bob Starkey (2007) and Van Chancellor (2008). It was not about the coach in that five-year heyday of Tigers women’s basketball. The spotlight shined on the players.
This renaissance of LSU women’s basketball is the sole responsibility of Mulkey. Yes, Angel Reese is an All-American. However, it is Mulkey who drives this car. Her determination and grit have rubbed off on these players. This group is two victories away from a national championship.
For the fourth straight NCAA tournament game, defense was the Tigers’ calling card. Miami made just 32 percent of its field goal attempts. The Hurricanes did not make a 3-point shot. Miami committed 18 turnovers. LSU had a 13-rebound margin over Miami.
During their four NCAA tournament victories, no opponent has made 40 percent of its field goal attempts. Only Utah (36 percent) connected on more than one-third of its 3-point attempts. Each Tigers opponent committed at least 16 turnovers. LSU outrebounded the opposition by 11 boards a game.
The Tigers needed such defense because of their inability to accurately shoot the ball. Against Miami, LSU shot 30 percent from the field and 58 percent at the foul line. The Tigers knocked down one shot from behind the 3-point line.
Reese finished with another double-double – 13 points and 18 rebounds. However, Reese missed 12 of her 15 field goal attempts. In four NCAA tournament games, Reese has totaled 89 points and 69 rebounds.
Fortunately for LSU, Reese has received just enough help – particularly in the last three victories. LaDazhia Williams had ten points and ten rebounds against Michigan. In the Tigers’ closest game against Utah, Williams scored 24 points and Alexis Morris contributed 15 points and seven assists.
When Reese was struggling to make a basket against Miami, Morris delivered a 21-point performance. But, that’s how Mulkey has taught this team. Someone must respond when needed in a clutch situation. Seniors Williams and Morris have stepped up in the NCAA tournament.
However, understand this is not a players’-led effort. Mulkey provides the impetus for LSU’s return to the Final Four.
LSU Tigers 2023 Regional Champions Locker Room Shirt
from: Alumni Hall
LSU Tigers 2023 Regional Champions Locker Room Hat
from: Alumni Hall