I remember watching LSU's season opener against Colorado back in November and thinking this team had something special. The Tigers were down by 15 points in the third quarter, and most teams would have folded under that pressure. But what I witnessed was something different - this team had that championship DNA you only see in programs destined for greatness. They clawed back to win 92-78, and I knew right then we were watching the emergence of a genuine national championship contender.
The transformation of LSU women's basketball this season reminds me of what we've seen with other programs that suddenly break through years of frustration. You know, it's like what happened with the University of the Philippines team that managed to exorcise their own curses and finally claim a championship after decades of disappointment. LSU had been carrying their own burdens - years of falling just short in the tournament, that heartbreaking loss to UConn in last year's regional final, the constant questions about whether Kim Mulkey could recreate her Baylor success in Baton Rouge. Watching this team play, I've noticed they carry themselves differently now. There's a swagger that comes from knowing you've conquered your demons, and LSU plays like a team that's done exactly that.
What's fascinating to me is how perfectly Mulkey has constructed this roster. Angel Reese isn't just having an All-American season - she's putting up numbers we haven't seen since Sylvia Fowlkes dominated the paint. Through 28 games, she's averaging 23.8 points and 15.4 rebounds, including that incredible 34-point, 21-rebound performance against Tennessee. But what makes this team dangerous is that Reese isn't carrying them alone. Alexis Morris brings that veteran leadership at point guard, Flau'jae Johnson provides explosive scoring off the bench, and LaDazhia Williams anchors the defense in ways that don't always show up in the stat sheet. I've been covering women's basketball for fifteen years, and I can count on one hand the number of teams with this much balanced talent.
The turning point, in my view, came during that brutal three-game stretch in January against ranked opponents. They beat Tennessee by 12, handled South Carolina's pressure in that overtime thriller, and dismantled Ole Miss by 18. That's when I started believing this team could actually win it all. Their defense improved dramatically - they're holding opponents to just 36.2% shooting during SEC play, which is downright elite. Offensively, they're sharing the ball better than any Mulkey-coached team I've seen, averaging 18.7 assists per game compared to last season's 14.3. These aren't just incremental improvements - they're transformational changes that separate good teams from championship contenders.
I've had conversations with several coaches around the league, and they all point to the same thing - LSU plays with a collective confidence that's rare. It's not just about individual talent, though they certainly have that. It's about how they respond to adversity. When Texas A&M made that 14-0 run in the fourth quarter last month, LSU didn't panic. They stuck to their game plan, got stops when they needed them, and made their free throws down the stretch. Championship teams find ways to win close games, and LSU is 8-1 in games decided by five points or fewer this season. That's not luck - that's mental toughness and preparation.
The Pete Maravich Assembly Center has become one of the toughest places to play in the country, and I think that home-court advantage will be huge come tournament time. They're averaging over 11,000 fans per game, creating an environment that rattles even experienced opponents. I was there for the South Carolina game, and the energy was absolutely electric. That kind of support matters, especially when you're trying to build a championship culture.
Looking ahead to the NCAA tournament, I genuinely believe LSU has what it takes to cut down the nets in Dallas. Their path won't be easy - they'll likely have to get through Stanford in the Elite Eight and probably South Carolina or UConn in the Final Four. But this team has shown they can beat anyone when they're playing their best basketball. Mulkey has that championship experience from her Baylor days, and she's built a roster that perfectly executes her system. They rebound, they defend, they have multiple scoring options, and they've shown remarkable resilience throughout the season.
What impresses me most is how they've embraced the pressure rather than shrinking from it. Every game they play, they're carrying the expectations of an entire program hungry for its first women's basketball championship. That weight would crush most teams, but LSU seems to thrive under it. They play with joy and confidence that suggests they know something the rest of us are just figuring out - this is their time, their season, their championship to win. I've learned over the years that championship teams have a certain aura about them, and LSU has definitely got it this year. They've transformed from a good team to a great one, and I wouldn't bet against them cutting down those nets in April.
