LSU's dynasty is facing a crossroads, and Kim Mulkey is laying bare her strategy for navigating it. With Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow now dominating the WNBA, can the Tigers maintain their championship caliber? It's a question on every college basketball fan's mind.
Recently, at the SEC Basketball Tipoff in Birmingham, Alabama, Coach Kim Mulkey addressed the elephant in the room: how LSU plans to replace the monumental contributions of Reese and Morrow. These two powerhouses didn't just score points; they controlled the boards, setting the tone for LSU's dominance.
Mulkey's response? A complete team effort. "Well, if you think about it, losing Reese and losing Morrow, boy, you just have to think about the rebounds," Mulkey stated candidly. "I don’t know right now if we’re capable of having a player that can go do that by herself. So, let’s do it collectively."
And this is the part most people miss: Mulkey isn't just acknowledging a loss; she's strategically pivoting. She's betting on the collective strength of her new recruits. As she noted, "I’m excited about our post play. We have five players that have never put on an LSU uniform and it’s fun to watch them battle every day."
But here's where it gets controversial... Can a team really replace superstar talent with sheer teamwork? Some argue that individual brilliance is irreplaceable, especially in high-pressure situations. Others believe that a well-oiled, cohesive unit can outperform a team reliant on a few star players. What do you think?
Mulkey herself seems to be tempering expectations, adding, "But when the lights come on and we start playing games, it’ll be real interesting to see who goes and gets those rebounds. But, it may be more of a collective effort than just one player." This suggests a degree of uncertainty, a willingness to adapt as the season unfolds.
Let's rewind a bit to understand the magnitude of the loss. Mulkey, with Reese as a key figure, famously delivered LSU its first national title in the 2023 NCAA tournament. The addition of Aneesah Morrow, transferring from DePaul for the 2023-24 season, only solidified their frontcourt dominance. However, their quest to defend their national championship in 2024 was cut short by a narrow seven-point defeat against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight (94-87).
Then, in the 2024-25 season, despite Morrow's presence, the Tigers faced another Elite Eight heartbreak, this time falling to the UCLA Bruins by a similar seven-point margin (72-65). Now, both Morrow (seventh pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft) and Reese (seventh overall pick the year prior) have moved on to the professional ranks.
The stats paint a clear picture of the rebounding void. Reese spearheaded the program in rebounding for two consecutive seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24), boasting averages of 15.4 and 13.4 rebounds per game, respectively. Morrow then picked up the mantle, averaging around 13.5 rebounds per game in the most recent season. Replacing that level of production is no small feat.
The question now becomes: Can Mulkey's coaching prowess and strategic adjustments compensate for the absence of proven superstars? Will the "collective effort" approach be enough to keep LSU in the national championship conversation? Or will the Tigers need to find new individual stars to emerge and fill the void?
One could argue that Kim Mulkey, with her proven track record, thrives under pressure and is adept at developing talent. Perhaps this challenge will unlock a new era of LSU basketball, one defined by depth and teamwork rather than individual dominance. Or, perhaps this is a necessary step back before another leap forward. Only time will tell.
What are your predictions for LSU in the 2025-26 season? Will their team-first approach be enough to overcome the loss of Reese and Morrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you believe that individual brilliance is more important than collective teamwork in college basketball? It's a debate worth having!
