Coming off a season that fell short of expectations, Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers are looking to bounce back. Last year, even without Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, the Tigers were heavy favorites to make a deep run. They finished third in the SEC and saw their March Madness hopes end in the Elite Eight for the second straight year. Now, with a new season about to tip off, Mulkey is ready to set the real tone and has a clear message for her team.

“And so when they come to LSU, the brand is off the charts. I’ve never seen a brand like just LSU. They appreciate that they are playing in front of thousands of people, sold-out crowds, and can go do their thing, find their niche, at this place. But when you come, let’s play basketball. Let’s be serious, and let’s compete,” Kim Mulkey said during SEC Media Day.

Mulkey, now in her fifth season, will have two starters returning in Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, both of whom earned All-SEC honors. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Johnson was named to the preseason All-SEC First Team, while Williams earned a spot on the Second Team.

However, with Aneesah Morrow no longer on the roster, Kim Mulkey will be relying on new transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley from the South Carolina Gamecocks to help fill the offensive void left by the forward.

As poetic as it might sound, LSU is fifth in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll. Just like last year, the Tigers are predicted to finish third in the SEC by the media, with the Gamecocks taking the top spot and the Longhorns slotting in at second. You could very well say that a championship returning to Baton Rouge is currently not viewed as a possibility by the media.

LSU is entering the season armed with the nation’s top recruiting class, featuring three of the best perimeter players in ZaKiyah Johnson, Divine Bourrage, and Isabella Hines, alongside one of the most productive forwards in the country, Grace Knox.

Bear in mind that in her four seasons at the helm of LSU women’s basketball, Kim Mulkey’s teams have finished equal or above their SEC Preseason Media Poll ranking thrice. It gives fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic as they head into the season.

Mulkey, however, is leaning on a seasoned senior to help steer this young Tigers roster toward glory.

Kim Mulkey wants to see more of Flau’Jae Johnson

Flau’Jae Johnson won SEC Freshman of the Year in her rookie season, and she’s only been improving ever since. But it’s now time to take a bigger leap than usual. Coach Mulkey is counting on the senior to take on a bigger leadership role and guide this young Tigers roster toward another championship run.

“Flau’Jae, she leads by what she does with her music, but I think she’s always been reluctant to be a leader of teammates because she wants them to like her,” Kim Mulkey said at SEC Media Day. “She never felt comfortable doing it because she always had the great older player in that locker room. Now, you are that older player. You’re the senior. You’ve been here, you know the ropes. So go lead your basketball team.”

Leadership might not come naturally to her, but the Tigers will need Johnson to rise to the occasion. Last season, she put up a career-high 18.6 points per game while shooting 46.8% from the field, adding 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest. With Morrow gone, she’s being trusted with an even bigger role as the team’s clear offensive focal point.

Will Flau’Jae Johnson rise to the occasion and deliver what Coach Mulkey expects? That’s something only time will tell. LSU will play two exhibition games on October 23 and 30 before opening the regular season against Houston Christian at home. Stay tuned, the road to March Madness is about to begin!