Ever since Kim Mulkey joined LSU, she has mostly seen success. And the LSU Tigers HC is no stranger to tough calls and high expectations. But even seasoned champions like Mulkey face moments of self-reflection. Despite LSU’s 74-60 victory against the Murray State Racers on Friday, Mulkey wasn’t basking in the win; she was scrutinizing her decisions.

The game showcased the depth and complexity of LSU’s roster, yet left Mulkey questioning her own judgment: “I’m going to look at me first,” she candidly admitted. In the second quarter, LSU lost some of its spark as the Racers pushed back.

When a journalist at the post-game press conference brought this up, “I think in the second quarter they just basically out-marked you; they got to every ball quicker.” Mulkey didn’t deflect this critique. Instead, she acknowledged the moments LSU struggled and reflected on how her coaching decisions might have impacted the flow of the game.

“They got to a lot of loose balls, I think they got more rebounds than we did,” Mulkey said. “When I look back, and I’m going to have to look at the film to be exactly right, our bench got us the lead in the first quarter. So why didn’t I leave them in there as a coach? Might be on me,” she said in the press conference

Indeed, Murray State’s effort was evident in the second quarter, where they out-rebounded LSU 13-9, capitalizing on their second-chance opportunities. This led to head coach Kim Mulkey’s introspection, which was rooted in a tricky balancing act—one that relied on seasoned players she trusts versus capitalizing on the energy and momentum her bench brought. The Tigers’ bench, led by Kailyn Gilbert’s 7 points in just 11 minutes, outshone expectations early.

Balancing bench spark and veteran trust: Kim Mulkey’s playbook for LSU’s success

Mulkey continued, “You usually go with kids that have been in your system that you have the most confidence in, but the truth of the matter is, at the end of the first quarter, who got us the lead? It wasn’t those kids that have been in the system.”

While LSU’s stars delivered as expected, including Flau’jae Johnson’s stellar 25-point performance and Aneesah Morrow’s double-double with 14 rebounds and 10 points, Mulkey highlighted the importance of post-production across the board. “You’ve got to rebound the ball,” she emphasized. “I thought Morrow was a warrior for us tonight. She didn’t shoot it particularly well, but she never gave up on the defensive end of the floor.”

Mulkey also pointed to adjustments that made the difference in the second half. “When we changed and we went to a hedge with the post in the second half, [Morrow] was up there doing things, just playing hard. Consequently, while she didn’t shoot it great, she ends up with a double-double because she found other ways to contribute.”

The tricky situation LSU faces is clear: their bench showed undeniable potential, but integrating that spark consistently with their veteran players will be crucial to their success this season. Mulkey didn’t shy away from the challenge. “Post-production doesn’t have to be the leading scorer, just give us something. Based on minutes played, you’ve got to give us something,” she said.

LSU’s win against Murray State was a testament to Coach Mulkey’s eyes for exceptional talent, but it also underscored areas for improvement. As the Tigers set their sights on a deeper postseason run, their legendary coach’s self-reflection might just be their biggest asset.