LSU Women's Basketball Faces Pre-SEC Tourney Woes

LSU Women's Basketball faces setbacks as they head into the SEC tournament, losing their second consecutive game to Ole Miss on Senior Day.

Key Takeaways:

• LSU drops three of their last five games before SEC tournament
• Star guard Flau'Jae Johnson sidelined with shin injury
• Coach Mulkey emphasizes importance of ball control and defense

The LSU Women's Basketball team is grappling with a challenging end to their regular season, dropping their second straight game in a loss to the Ole Miss Rebels during Senior Day celebrations. This defeat marks the third loss in their last five outings, casting a shadow over their momentum as they prepare for the upcoming SEC tournament starting March 5th.

Adding to their woes, the Tigers are missing a key player in star guard Flau'Jae Johnson, who is sidelined with a minor shin injury. Coach Mulkey confirmed that Johnson will remain out of action through the SEC tournament, a strategic decision given LSU's secure position as a three seed in the upcoming NCAA playoffs.

"She has tried her hardest and put her heart out there," Mulkey said regarding Johnson's absence. "I decided after Alabama, we're a three seed no matter if we win another ball game, so why not do it now."

The Rebels capitalized on LSU's vulnerabilities, dominating the latter stages of the game and forcing crucial turnovers. Coach Mulkey highlighted three critical areas where the Tigers fell short: containing paint scoring, ball security, and competing for offensive rebounds.

"There were three things you needed to do...keep them out of the paint they were averaging 34 points and they got 38 against us, second thing you needed to do was take care of the ball, their points off turnovers, they were averaging 26 and they got 27, lastly offensive boards we competed with them and then we didn't compete with them..."

Mulkey's frustration was evident as she addressed the media post-game, emphasizing the fundamental importance of ball control in sports. "You can't win in anything in sports turning the ball over," she stated bluntly.

Despite the recent stumbles, all is not lost for the Tigers. The team still has an opportunity to host an NCAA playoff game at the PMAC following the SEC Tournament, offering a chance for redemption and a return to form on their home court.

As the Tigers look to regroup and refocus, bettors and fans alike will be keenly watching how they navigate these challenges. The absence of Johnson and recent defensive lapses could significantly impact LSU's performance and odds in the upcoming tournaments, making them a team to watch closely in the sports betting landscape.