Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers Suffer Significant Setback in Loss to Ole Miss: Analyzing Three Key Ways the Victory Slipped Away
When Kim Mulkey took over as the head coach of LSU’s women’s basketball program, the Tigers’ fan base and sports community alike expected a rapid turnaround. Mulkey, known for her unmatched pedigree in coaching, having won three national championships with Baylor, seemed like the perfect fit to restore LSU’s dominance in the SEC and beyond.
However, the LSU Tigers suffered a significant setback in their bid for the SEC title and potential NCAA tournament success when they were defeated by Ole Miss. The loss, which was marked by multiple shortcomings in different aspects of the game, raised questions about the Tigers’ readiness for the challenges ahead. This article breaks down three key ways the LSU Tigers’ hopes for victory slipped through their fingers during their defeat to Ole Miss.
1. Inefficient Offense: Missed Opportunities in the Paint and Beyond the Arc
LSU’s offense, which has often been the centerpiece of their success under Mulkey, looked sluggish and disjointed throughout much of the game. One of the most striking aspects of the loss was the Tigers’ inability to capitalize on high-percentage opportunities in the paint.
Struggles in the Paint
LSU, a team with considerable size and strength in the frontcourt, typically thrives inside the paint. With players like Angel Reese, a versatile forward with a knack for dominating down low, the Tigers are expected to control the inside game. However, in this loss to Ole Miss, they failed to do so. Despite a clear size advantage, LSU struggled to convert post moves and finishes around the rim. Ole Miss’ defense, while solid, wasn’t particularly dominant inside, but LSU’s inability to finish in close range limited their scoring options.
Reese, in particular, had an off night. She finished with just 10 points and struggled with efficiency, shooting only 4-for-12 from the field. Mulkey’s offense is predicated on dominating the boards and getting easy baskets near the hoop. The failure to do so not only hurt LSU’s scoring output but also disrupted their rhythm, causing them to fall behind early and fight an uphill battle for the remainder of the game.
Ineffective Shooting from Beyond the Arc
Adding to the Tigers’ struggles was their inability to stretch the defense with a consistent outside shooting threat. While LSU does not rely heavily on the three-point shot, the ability to hit timely shots from deep when the inside game is clogged is essential for their offensive strategy. Against Ole Miss, LSU shot just 3-for-15 from beyond the arc. This lack of perimeter shooting further exacerbated their issues in the paint, as Ole Miss was able to collapse on LSU’s bigs without the fear of a major threat from outside.
In big games, especially those against SEC rivals with as much grit as Ole Miss, teams must be able to diversify their offensive attacks. LSU’s inability to balance their offensive game with efficient shooting both in the paint and from the perimeter made it easier for Ole Miss to lock in on specific defensive strategies.
2. Defensive Lapses: Uncharacteristic Breakdown of LSU’s Defense
One of the pillars of LSU’s success under Kim Mulkey has been their stifling defense. Her teams have historically been known for aggressive, disciplined defensive schemes that force turnovers and create transition opportunities. However, in this loss to Ole Miss, LSU experienced uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns that allowed Ole Miss to stay in the game and ultimately seize the win.
Ole Miss’s Offensive Rebounding
Despite LSU’s size advantage, Ole Miss outworked the Tigers on the glass, particularly on the offensive boards. LSU allowed Ole Miss to grab 14 offensive rebounds, many of which came at crucial moments in the game. Offensive rebounds not only provide the opposing team with extra possessions but also demoralize the defense, forcing them to expend extra energy to reset and guard for longer periods.
LSU’s failure to box out and secure rebounds was puzzling, especially given that they had one of the better rebounding teams in the SEC. This breakdown allowed Ole Miss to score second-chance points that kept them in the game and eventually helped them pull ahead when LSU was unable to make a decisive run.
Defensive Breakdown Against Ole Miss’s Guards
While LSU was able to control the post for much of the game, their perimeter defense was a different story. Ole Miss guards, particularly Madison Scott and Angel Baker, were able to get to the rim with ease and either finish or draw fouls. LSU’s defense was unable to effectively guard the ball handlers or prevent penetration, which opened up scoring opportunities for the Rebels.
This issue became especially apparent in the second half, when Ole Miss used quick ball movement and sharp cuts to break LSU’s defensive rotations. The Tigers’ defense, which had been suffocating in previous games, became passive and allowed Ole Miss to score efficiently, both from the perimeter and inside. For a team that prided itself on defense, this was a major letdown.
Inability to Adjust Defensive Strategy
As the game progressed, LSU’s defense seemed to lack the necessary adjustments to deal with Ole Miss’s offensive strategies. Mulkey is known for making tactical adjustments on the fly, but in this contest, LSU’s defensive schemes appeared to be ineffective against Ole Miss’s spread offense. The inability to make these necessary adjustments resulted in several open looks for the Rebels and allowed them to capitalize on LSU’s defensive lapses.
3. Turnovers: Mistakes That Gave Ole Miss Extra Possessions
Turnovers have always been a critical factor in any basketball game, but for LSU, they were particularly costly in this loss. A hallmark of Mulkey’s teams is their ability to take care of the basketball and control the pace of the game, but on this occasion, the Tigers’ carelessness with the ball allowed Ole Miss to create easy scoring opportunities off turnovers.
High Turnover Count
LSU finished the game with 18 turnovers, an uncharacteristically high number for a team under Mulkey’s tutelage. Many of these turnovers came from forced passes and poor decision-making, which played directly into Ole Miss’s hands. When a team is struggling with its offense and unable to execute in the half-court, turnovers can turn an already difficult game into a complete disaster. LSU was unable to maintain any offensive flow because they were constantly giving Ole Miss extra opportunities to score.
Ole Miss Capitalized on Fast Breaks
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of LSU’s turnovers was Ole Miss’s ability to convert them into fast-break points. Ole Miss is a team that thrives in transition, and LSU’s turnovers played directly into their fast-paced style of play. LSU’s inability to control the ball allowed the Rebels to dictate the tempo and get easy baskets in transition, which exacerbated the Tigers’ offensive struggles.
As the game wore on, LSU became increasingly frustrated with their turnovers, which snowballed into poor shot selection and a lack of confidence in their offensive execution. A team that prides itself on efficiency, both offensively and defensively, could not afford such mistakes against a team like Ole Miss.