The LSU women’s basketball team lost to South Carolina 83-77 for the 19th consecutive time on Saturday at the SEC Tournament. Just like the game on Valentine’s Day, LSU did not make enough plays down the stretch.
LSU was within five points with 45 seconds left, but instead of fouling Carolina in an effort to get the ball back quickly, they allowed the Gamecocks to drain the clock.
“We think we are an elite team, but we are not there to win those close games against the South Carolinas and the UConns,” Mulkey said. “That margin of the error are little things like that. We had two fouls to give. We were going to go for a steal right there, quick trap, if you don’t get it, you lose one of the fouls. I don’t want to say we lose our composure, but we just don’t use it.”
Mulkey has yet to beat Dawn Staley and South Carolina since she arrived at LSU in 2021. Mulkey says the difference between LSU and the Gamecocks is that she’s been at LSU for five years and Staley has been at Carolina for 18 years.
“It takes time and man, we are just clawing and trying our best, and I think we are doing pretty good, we are so close, we are so close,” Mulkey said.
The loss likely means LSU will be a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament when the bracket is released.
Texas beat South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game. Both schools are expected to be number one seeds. That means if LSU is a two-seed, there’s a good chance they will be in a region with either UCLA or UCONN as the number one seeds.
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LSU men’s basketball finishes SEC play 3-15
The Tigers hoops team ended another disappointing regular season with an exciting game on Saturday, but just like so many times before, coach Matt McMahon’s team could not come away with the victory as they lost in triple overtime to Texas A&M.
LSU finishes in last place in the SEC with a 3-15 record. In his four seasons at LSU, McMahon’s record in conference play is dismal 17-54.
Following the game, Tiger Rag Magazine’s Glen Guilbeau asked McMahon about his future. He said it’s his responsibility to win games at LSU, and he shares in the disappointment and frustration.
But McMahon remains optimistic that LSU will have a better season next year.
“I absolutely love LSU, I love our core group that returns next year, I think we have a great administration and leadership team here at LSU, and I will respect whatever decisions they will make moving forward,” McMahon said.
If it weren’t about money, McMahon would likely be fired after the Tigers are bounced out of the SEC Tournament this week. It could happen as early as Wednesday when LSU plays Kentucky.
But LSU’s donors must pay for Brian Kelly’s 54 million buyout. LSU’s supporters also dug deep into their wallets to fund the 2026 football team that Kelly told SiriusXM radio cost $40 million.
Plus, funding is also needed to keep LSU women’s basketball, baseball, and gymnastics in national championship contention.
If it were up to Governor Landry and newly appointed LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Mallett, a chance with the men’s basketball program would certainly be made, but it’s going to take money, money that might be there.