LSU WBB Angel Reese, Kim Mulkey preview Tennessee, talk expectations

Angel Reese 

Reese talked about how the team is in a really good space mentally going into Monday’s game against Tennessee. The team knows Tennessee was picked ahead of them in the preseason poll and has a ton of talent so they’re going in as the “underdogs”

“We’ve needed all 12 players and everyone is playing their role. We know our weaknesses and come back ready to practice. I’ve never been on a team that can critique each other and stay on each other so hard and it not be personal.”

On the physical defense she faces: “I’ve been double-teamed, had my shirt grabbed, it’s been tough. I’ve needed it going into this big game against Tennessee, because they’re a big team. I’ve been able to see that early and I’ve seen it in practice with our scout team and Dream team, so I can be ready for it.”

Kim Mulkey

“Even if we had not beaten [Arkansas] I got to see some players speak up besides Angel Reese. I got to see some leadership from other players and sometimes that doesn’t surface until you’re backed into a corner. Alexis Morris calmed everybody down. They like to go at each other, but it’s a moment where Alexis is older and she can go in and make the big shot. The biggest [takeaway] was I didn’t have to be the leader. They were the better leaders that night.”

On her Tik Tok with the players: They have that relationship with me. You guys see us in game time where it’s always intensity, but we have that relationship. We were walking off the court and they pulled me in and said just do what we do. Is it viral? Is that the new word? That’s why I have young coaches, they keep me abreast to things. I dance much better than that, but I guess I did a good job following their lead.”

Mulkey talked about the non-conference schedule again, saying that the criticism they took because of it didn’t bother them. The winning allowed them to get closer and build confidence. She also says it’s harder than ever to schedule because you could be scheduling with one team in mind then with the portal have a completely different team. Mentions how they have the No. 3 NET.

Quote pulled from her talking about being undefeated: “We have that opportunity on Monday [to upset someone]. We’re not supposed to beat Tennessee. They were picked to be No. 2 in this league preseason. They have more depth than we do. I knew we had the talent, but you don’t write down that our goal is to go undefeated. We have to go to South Carolina. Nobody is capable of beating them, they’re that good. You just hope you can stay close.”

Mulkey raved about the buy-in to defense and rebounding from the newcomers. That was a question she had with such a new roster and they have exceeded her expectations on both fronts.

On Tennessee: “I don’t know how they’re not a top 25 team. Go back to what we talked about with scheduling. They’ve played every top team. They have everything you need to be very good. They brought in Rickea Jackson, Franklin from Missouri State, Horston is healthy, they did lose Key, their big on the inside, but they are a matchup nightmare. They;ve played enough games against some of the best teams in the game that playing in front of the crowd we expect to have will not be a big deal to them. We are going to have to rebound, they are outstanding rebounding the ball. It’s going to be a good basketball game.”