The college basketball season is entering its intriguing phase, with teams starting to get into rhythm, and some upsets are alarming respective programs to prepare for tougher schedules. One such team that got a reality check is the LSU Tigers. HC Kim Mulkey, though, supported the early dominance and schedule, giving her reason for the
Star guard Flau’jae Johnson aims to elevate performance in her final LSU Season, eyeing a top 2026 WNBA draft spot. She did so early in the season, but the injury impacted her play and also the results.
Kim Mulkey Defends Soft Opening Phase For LSU
After nearly 15 rounds, the league standings are taking shape. Defending champions UConn Huskies build substantial lead in Big East with dominant early conference wins. While other title contenders are also showing strong outings in the season, the LSU Tigers have yet to win a game in the SC Conference.
What’s surprising is that the side had a 14-0 start to the season. HC Mulkey, though, spoke positively about having the ‘soft’ opponents early in the season as she said, “If we hadn’t played that schedule, we might would be sitting here with a lot of losses.”
Kim Mulkey first is asked about #LSU's nonconference schedule.
— Cory Diaz (@ByCoryDiaz) January 5, 2026
"If we hadn't played that schedule, we might would be sitting here with a lot of losses."#LSU
The statement is certainly a very strong one, considering the fifth-ranked side relies on the easier opponents to bag some wins. But her statement has a hidden meaning that highlights her team would have been better equipped to handle in-game adversity at this point in the season. And would therefore find ways to win these tight games against the opponents who matter the most.
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But the 2023 champion coach does not stop there. After back-to-back losses, the coach criticizes her team’s toughness and is helpless in uplifting them.
Kim Mulkey Questions Her Team’s Toughness
The LSU looked like an unstoppable force with 100+ points in the first eight games and 12 games in total so far. The side set a record for the most consecutive games with 100 points or more. Incidentally, that happened to be the only high point of their season, and their recent two losses raised questions about their championship credentials.
Kim Mulkey also looked down with losses and said, “We’re not tough enough. And toughness is, you either have it or you don’t. And we’re not tough enough, and that’s all (the) players in that locker room tonight. You’re not tough enough to make a play when you need it. You’re not tough enough to get that rebound when we need it.”
Kim Mulkey: "We're not tough enough. You either have it or you don't and we're not tough enough. That goes for everyone in that locker room.
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) January 5, 2026
"We can make it better, but I don't know if you can run drills and fix that and make them tough. Toughness is mental. It's who you are.…
While the losses against Kentucky and Vanderbilt clearly showed the flaws in the LSU team, Kim Mulkey will be hoping for a stronger response from the side in the next game against Georgia.