LSU Women’s Basketball Hits Its Stride at the Perfect Time - And It’s No Accident
After LSU blitzed Alabama 103-63 on Sunday, longtime assistant Bob Starkey had a moment of empathy for Crimson Tide head coach Kristy Curry. Not just because of the scoreboard, but because he knew what she had just witnessed: a team firing on all cylinders, playing its best basketball of the season - and maybe even beyond that.
“He said they hadn’t played that well all year,” Curry said postgame.
And he was right.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
A 40-point dismantling of a ranked opponent - an Alabama squad that, despite the blowout, moved up three spots to No. 21 in the AP poll on Monday. LSU didn’t just dominate - they displayed the full vision of what this team can be when everything clicks.
It was fast, fluid, and fearless. A performance that felt less like a conference matchup and more like a basketball symphony.
“We were just cooking on both ends of the court,” head coach Kim Mulkey said.
And that’s putting it mildly. The Tigers shot 56.1% from the field, including a blistering 47.6% from deep.
They outrebounded Alabama by 15, racked up 11 blocks, and held the Tide to just 34.4% shooting. This wasn’t just a team playing hard - it was a team playing together, with purpose and precision.
As February begins - the month where conference titles are won and tournament résumés are made - LSU looks ready. The Tigers are 21-2 overall, 7-2 in the SEC, and just a half-game behind South Carolina in the standings. And while the schedule tightens, the Tigers are tightening up in all the right areas.
Rebounding: From Weakness to Weapon
Let’s rewind to New Year’s Day. LSU opened SEC play with a loss to Kentucky, and the glass was a big part of the problem.
Since then? A complete turnaround.
The Tigers have outrebounded every opponent they’ve faced in the eight games since, six of those by double-digit margins.
It’s not just the bigs - though the post rotation of Kate Koval, Amiya Joyner, Grace Knox, and ZaKiyah Johnson has been rock-solid, no matter the combination. The guards are crashing the boards too, and it’s showing up in the numbers.
LSU leads the nation in rebounding margin at +19.3, and at this point, it’s not just about who they played in the nonconference. This is about effort, toughness, and a collective mindset.
“It’s toughness and grit,” Johnson said. “How much do you want the ball? It should be ours.”
That mentality is starting to define this team.
Point Guard Play: Jada Richard’s Rise
If there’s been a single biggest development in LSU’s recent surge, it’s the emergence of sophomore Jada Richard. Coming into the season, the point guard spot was a question mark. South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley brought explosive talent but also a tendency to turn the ball over - not ideal for running Mulkey’s high-octane offense.
Enter Richard. The Opelousas native has not only stabilized the position but elevated it.
She’s been steady with the ball, smart with her decisions, and increasingly dangerous as a scorer. On Sunday, she dropped 16 points - her second time leading the team in scoring in the last three games.
She’s not just filling a role. She’s becoming the engine.
Richard is the most complete point guard LSU has had since Alexis Morris guided the Tigers to the 2023 national title. And for a Mulkey-led team, a strong floor general is non-negotiable.
“Jada Richard is our glue,” Mulkey said. “She’s our coach on the floor.
You can’t get off Jada (defensively) because she will light you up. She’s proven she can defend.
She understands angles and foot speed with who she’s guarding.”
Defense: Where It All Starts
Scoring has never been LSU’s problem. The Tigers lead the nation in scoring, scoring margin, bench points, and points per 100 possessions.
But the defensive side? That’s where Mulkey’s teams have historically separated themselves - and this group is starting to follow suit.
LSU ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense. They’re contesting shots, protecting the rim, and turning stops into fast breaks.
And Richard’s impact is felt here, too. She’s not just directing the offense - she’s taking on the toughest perimeter assignments and thriving.
Her emergence has allowed stars like Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams to focus more on scoring, while she handles the dirty work on defense and keeps the offense humming.
A Crucial Stretch Ahead
It’s easy to look at LSU’s 21-2 record and imagine what could’ve been. Three baskets - a buzzer-beater by Kentucky and a couple of clutch shots by Vanderbilt - are all that separate this team from being undefeated.
But the Tigers aren’t living in the past. They’re locked in on what’s ahead - and the next three games will go a long way in defining their season.
LSU travels to face No. 4 Texas on Thursday, visits Auburn on Sunday, and then hosts No.
3 South Carolina in a Valentine’s Day showdown that could decide the SEC title. It’s a gauntlet, no doubt.
But it’s also an opportunity.
“We’ll see where this winds up,” Mulkey said. “It’s fun to be in the mix.
We don’t have to rely on any teams winning or losing. Go win seven straight and we might win an SEC title.
If not, make sure you did all you can.”
That’s the mindset of a team that’s peaking at the right time. The Tigers are rolling - and if Sunday’s performance was any indication, they’re just getting started.