Kim Mulkey and LSU women’s basketball embracing underdog mentality vs. No. 1 South Carolina

Coach Kim Mulkey and LSU women’s basketball will find themselves in some fairly unfamiliar territory vs. No. 1 South Carolina on Thursday. After entering each of their matchups as the favorite thus far, the Tigers aren’t shying away from their new found underdog role against the No. 1 team in women’s college basketball.

Coach Kim Mulkey and LSU women’s basketball embracing new role vs. No. 1 South Carolina

As fun as winning national championships can be, it’s not without its fair share of challenges. More specifically, in the season following, everyone is bound to give you their best effort. After all, who wouldn’t want to dethrone the reigning champs?

For coach Kim Mulkey and LSU women’s basketball, they’ve gotten more than their fair share of said challenges thus far in the 2023-24 season. Most times, they’re able to overcome it, but with two losses already on the year, they’ve shown the ability to bleed.

Interestingly enough, one team that has yet to show the ability to bleed is in-conference foe, No. 1 South Carolina. After winning the national championship two years ago, they came up short last season, but are now stronger than ever because of it.

“I look at it as South Carolina has not been beaten,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said during Wednesday’s media availability. “South Carolina is as good – in my opinion – as they were last year with new players. No one seems to have found the formula to beat them. And just like we will try to do – the same thing a lot of teams do, and that’s try to upset them.”

You gotta bring it ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/rx35Brsxcl

— LSU Women’s Basketball (@LSUwbkb) January 24, 2024

In turn, as we look ahead to the next upcoming matchup for the Tigers, the purple and gold are set to play a game as underdogs for the first time all season.

While for many, that might be viewed as a less than ideal position to be in, coach Kim Mulkey couldn’t disagree more.

“We’re the underdog. I love underdog roles and I know that it’ll be one heck of an atmosphere. It’s gonna be good for us. It’s gonna be good for South Carolina. It’s gonna be good for the SEC, and overall, good for women’s basketball.”

Regardless of the outcome on Thursday evening, No. 9 LSU vs. No. 1 South Carolina is quickly shaping up to be one of the most anticipated regular season matchups in recent memory for women’s college basketball. The star power is simply unmatched, and when you put the game in one of the most intimidating facilities in the sport – the PMAC – we could be in for quite a show.

The opening tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, January 25. The game will be hosted in Baton Rouge in the PMAC and will be available to watch live on ESPN following College GameDay, which will get started at 6:00 p.m. CST.

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