Kim Mulkey reviews LSU's growth since early conference loss

LSU defeated Arkansas on Sunday night, improving to 5-1 in SEC play, yet there was an overwhelming sense of urgency with a game against South Carolina coming up on Thursday. Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors said he was hoping the Tigers were already starting to look ahead but there was no such letdown as LSU jumped out to an 18-0 lead and cruised to a 99-68 win.

“I really was, I was pleased at Alabama the other night too even though we were only up one going to halftime,” Mulkey said of their performance. “I could see things we were doing better and I just thought if we can keep that focus in the areas I’m talking about, we can get better and you saw that today. It was a game where we were special on both ends of the floor.”

After the loss to Auburn and a shaky first half against Alabama, LSU needed to find its way offensively before Thursday night.

Over the last six quarters, the Tigers have found their footing and returned to looking like one of the best offenses in the country. 

“Composure. Leadership in practice. In the auburn game we were all looking for someone to make a play and that goes for me as a coach as well,” Mulkey said of the offensive success. “[Tonight], they were playing very confident, very free, passing the ball up the floor, just doing a lot of active things. The crowd got into it and it was one of those games that was entertainment.” 

It’s the defensive side of the ball that has had Mulkey’s attention this season, though. Over the last two games, LSU has held both Alabama and Arkansas to under 29 percent shooting in the game. It’s a key stat for Mulkey and pair that with an elite rebounding team and the Tigers are able to generate more possessions.

It was a challenge against teams that shoot a lot of 3-pointers, but Mulkey was proud of how her bigs helped keep the shooters at bay.

“Helping each other. The big helper today were our post players, Angel, Aalyah, Morrow, when their post players would set a screen, they wanted to turn the corner and get a layup or get to the line. I challenged the posts to switch that. You can guard it. Aalyah is the one you’re worried about because she’s a freshman. Those are things you can make a decision on in the middle of the game and it was good for us and we didn’t have a problem communicating and doing things like that.”

The Auburn loss provided an opportunity for this team to come together and righten the ship early in conference play. Regardless of the result on Thursday, this team is in a better space leaving the month of January and Mulkey knows that it will take a team effort to reach the levels they’re capable of reaching.

“I talk to them in those moments and hold them accountable more than give them an ass chewing. There’s a time to do the ass chewing, then there’s a time for them to hurt, but let’s get back to work,” Mulkey said. “In that locker room after the Auburn loss, we were in there for a long time. I made them talk. ‘You tell me what you need to do better.’ because they have to take ownership. I can lead as a coach, but I can’t pass, shoot, or dribble it for you. Part of all of that that needed to be corrected started with leadership and that’s for all of them because they’re great players. Don’t wait for somebody else, let’s do this collectively.”