The LSU Tigers were riding high, flirting with a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, but a tough loss to Texas has thrown a wrench into those plans. Now sitting at No. 6 in the latest AP Poll, LSU faces a defining moment in its season-and it couldn’t come on a bigger stage.
This weekend, the Tigers square off against the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated regular-season matchups in women’s college basketball history.
And the spotlight doesn't get much brighter: this will be the first time the sport takes center stage in the coveted Saturday primetime slot on ABC. It’s not just a game-it’s a statement moment for both programs, and for the sport itself.
LSU’s drop from No. 5 to No. 6 comes after that stumble against Texas, a game that not only halted their momentum but also cost them a key position in the rankings. Vanderbilt, who handed LSU a loss to open SEC play, leapfrogged them in the poll, adding another wrinkle to the Tigers’ path forward.
Still, the road to a top seed isn’t closed. Far from it.
LSU has a chance to take control of its destiny with a strong finish to the regular season and a deep run in the SEC tournament. With three of the teams ranked ahead of them also hailing from the SEC, there’s plenty of opportunity for movement-and for redemption.
That all starts with South Carolina.
The Gamecocks come into the matchup with a 24-2 record, their only losses coming at the hands of Texas and Oklahoma. Interestingly, LSU has wins over both of those teams this season, a point of confidence heading into this clash-even if they did just fall to Texas in their most recent outing.
But if there’s one team that’s been a consistent thorn in LSU’s side, it’s South Carolina. The Tigers haven’t beaten the Gamecocks since January 2012, a home win during Nikki Fargas’ first year at the helm. That’s a long drought, and Kim Mulkey’s squad would love nothing more than to snap it on a national stage.
One player who could be pivotal in that effort? The versatile and ever-evolving Fulwiley.
Since being moved to point guard, she’s blossomed into a two-way force. Her stat line tells the story: 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
She’s become a defensive disruptor and a steady playmaker-exactly the kind of presence LSU needs in a game of this magnitude.
This isn’t just about rankings or tournament seeding. It’s about pride, legacy, and the kind of momentum that can carry a team deep into March. For LSU, the path to a one-seed is still open-but it runs straight through South Carolina.