Legendary LSU head coach Kim Mulkey delivered a powerful message to prospective recruits following her team’s impressive victory over the No. 2 Texas Longhorns on January 7, 2024. The Tigers, competing in the NCAA Women’s Basketball arena, triumphed with a score of 70-65 in front of a roaring crowd at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. This win comes as the program seeks to re-establish its dominance after losing back-to-back games.
Before facing Texas, LSU held a perfect record of 14-0 but stumbled against ranked opponents, falling to No. 7 Vanderbilt and No. 6 Kentucky. This prompted a strong response from Mulkey, who has been at the helm since 2021 and led the team to a national championship in 2023. Following the recent win, the Tigers improved their season record to 16-2 and are currently ranked No. 12 nationally.
In her post-game remarks, Mulkey emphasized the expectations for players considering joining the Tigers. “They’re hungry. They came to LSU for these moments. This is why they came to LSU, for that crowd,” she stated. Mulkey highlighted the significance of the fan experience, noting that recruits should embrace the vibrant atmosphere that defines the program. Her clear message was that those unwilling to engage with this environment may not be suited for LSU basketball.
The game against Texas showcased a decisive rebounding performance, with the Tigers out-rebounding the Longhorns 44 to 35. Mulkey pointed to this as a key factor in securing the win. “If you rebound, you defend, and you take care of the ball, that’s your holy trinity,” she remarked, drawing a humorous comparison to a popular culinary term in Louisiana.
As the Tigers return to a 2-2 conference record, Mulkey emphasized the unwavering confidence within the team despite earlier setbacks. “We never lost confidence. That’s just not our DNA,” she asserted. The coach maintained that every game is treated with the utmost respect, stressing the importance of preparation and execution, especially following their two recent defeats.
Moving forward, the LSU Tigers aim to build on this momentum as they navigate the remainder of their season, seeking both victories and a strong recruiting class to uphold the program’s esteemed legacy.
