Kim Mulkey’s Tactics Ignite LSU’s Sweet 16 Aspirations in NCAA Tournament

SPOKANE, Wash. — LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is determined to lead her Tigers to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, just two days after a decisive first-round victory over Hawaii.

On the morning following LSU’s dominant 78-54 win, the team returned to their practice court at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) aiming to prepare for a critical showdown against Michigan. A win would mark their first advancement to the Sweet 16 in nearly a decade, highlighting the significance of this matchup for a program in recovery under Mulkey’s leadership, now in her second year at LSU.

Mulkey, a seasoned coach with four national championships, recognized an alarming lack of energy among her players during practice. Overhearing concerns about fatigue and sore legs, she knew a full practice was not an option. Instead, she decided to creatively motivate her team.

“I could feel they were not with me. I didn’t want them to take Michigan lightly, so I decided on a different approach,” Mulkey later explained.

After expressing her frustration with the team’s focus, Mulkey unexpectedly dismissed her players from practice, urging them to return the next day refreshed. “You’ve got 30 hours until you play. Go home,” she directed.

The following morning, however, as players returned for their pregame walkthrough, Mulkey still sensed a lack of urgency. Leaning over to associate head coach Bob Starkey, she proposed to shift strategy again. “I think I’m going to toss them again. Just to check their pulse,” she said.

As practice resumed, a small mistake prompted Mulkey to take action. “You’re still not with me. You’re still not here,” she shouted, ordering the players out again.

This time, instead of leaving, team leaders Alexis Morris and Angel Reese advocated for their fellow teammates to stay. After a tense moment, Mulkey conceded, “Fine, then we’ll leave,” and instructed her coaching staff to gather their things. As the coaches exited, the stunned players remained on the court, challenged to reflect on their performance.

“As a freshman, I was thinking, ‘Coach is really going to walk out?’” recalled player Sa’Myah Smith. “But it helped us. We needed that.”

While Mulkey and Starkey monitored the team via a live feed from the coaching offices, the players executed a flawless walkthrough without them. “We’re ready,” Mulkey announced with a smile as she rejoined her team.

Later that night, LSU triumphed over Michigan, winning by 24 points and securing a place in the Sweet 16. The Tigers would eventually go on to clinch the national championship, defeating Iowa and standout Caitlin Clark.

Beyond her unconventional methods, Mulkey’s success hinges on her deep understanding of her players. “It’s only a gamble if you don’t know your team,” Starkey commented on Mulkey’s approach. “She knew the character of that 2023 team.”

As the current LSU team gears up to play second-seeded NC State in the Sweet 16 this Friday evening, they seek to emulate their predecessors’ success in overcoming the odds. “Kim gets a feel quickly about what a team can handle,” said assistant coach Daphne Mitchell. “She knows how to turn the heat up based on their responses.”

Despite her polarizing presence and some past controversies, Mulkey has maintained strong loyalty from her players. Morris returned from a rocky stint at Baylor, stating, “When I realized all the things she had in place, it made sense for me.” Meanwhile, Reese sought tough love, emphasizing her willingness to grow under Mulkey’s direct coaching style.

“I don’t want to feel like the best player. I want to feel like I’m at the bottom,” Reese articulated.

With her dynamic coaching style and profound impact on players, Mulkey draws a distinct line in the evolving landscape of college sports, where understanding player dynamics can make all the difference in success.