Baton Rouge, LA — The bold proclamation that attracted MiLaysia Fulwiley from South Carolina to LSU—”Ballers wanna play with ballers”—is ringing hollow in Baton Rouge as Kim Mulkey’s Tigers have stumbled to an unprecedented 0-2 start in SEC play, marking the first time since her arrival that LSU has lost consecutive conference games to open the season.
Historic Struggles Under Mulkey
The back-to-back losses to Kentucky and now Vanderbilt represent uncharted territory for Mulkey’s LSU tenure. The program hasn’t experienced such a disastrous conference start since January 5, 2020—nearly five years ago—when they fell to Missouri under previous leadership.
For a coach who arrived in Baton Rouge with championship pedigree and immediately elevated expectations, starting SEC play winless raises uncomfortable questions about roster construction, chemistry, and whether the high-profile recruiting victories—particularly landing Fulwiley from rival South Carolina—have translated into on-court success.
Vanderbilt Delivers the Knockout Blow
The loss to Vanderbilt proved particularly devastating, as Mikayla Blakes torched LSU’s defense for 32 points, including a crushing 14-point fourth quarter that powered the Commodores to an upset victory. Blake’s performance exposed LSU’s defensive vulnerabilities and highlighted the Tigers’ inability to make crucial stops when games hang in the balance.
The defeat wasn’t just about one player’s explosion—it reflected broader systemic issues that have plagued LSU through two conference games. The Tigers’ 22 turnovers against Vanderbilt represented careless ball-handling, poor decision-making, and the kind of undisciplined play that championship-caliber programs simply cannot tolerate.
Mulkey’s Visible Frustration
Post-game observations noted that Mulkey was “not happy with LSU’s performance”—an understatement given the coach’s fiery sideline demeanor and demanding standards. Several factors contributed to her frustration:
Flau’jae Johnson’s Injury: The loss or limitation of one of LSU’s key players disrupts rotations and removes a crucial scoring and leadership presence exactly when the team needs all hands on deck for conference play.
Critical Out-of-Bounds Play: A crucial possession mishandled in a tight game speaks to execution failures in pressure moments—exactly the kind of mistake that separates winners from losers in competitive SEC basketball.
22 Turnovers: The staggering giveaway total represents more than just individual mistakes—it reflects a team struggling with decision-making, ball security, and the poise necessary to execute against quality defensive pressure.
The Schedule Gets Tougher
Perhaps most concerning for LSU is that the schedule doesn’t provide relief. Upcoming matchups against powerhouses like South Carolina and Texas loom on the horizon, threatening to turn an 0-2 start into a catastrophic free fall that could derail season aspirations entirely.
Facing South Carolina carries particular significance given the Fulwiley connection. The former Gamecock’s return to face her old program—now wearing LSU purple and gold—will generate enormous attention and scrutiny. If LSU enters that matchup still searching for their first SEC victory, the pressure and narrative intensity will be overwhelming.
Texas represents another formidable challenge, with the Longhorns bringing their own championship aspirations and elite talent to any matchup. For an LSU team already reeling and searching for answers, these games could expose just how far the Tigers have fallen short of preseason expectations.
The Fulwiley Factor
When Mulkey landed Fulwiley from South Carolina with the “ballers wanna play with ballers” pitch, it represented a recruiting coup and a direct challenge to Dawn Staley’s program. The message was clear: LSU could attract elite talent and compete with anyone for the nation’s best players.
However, Fulwiley’s inconsistent performances—including the decision-making lapses that got her benched in the Kentucky loss—raise questions about whether the talent acquisition has improved LSU’s championship prospects or simply added another player requiring development and discipline.
The irony isn’t lost on South Carolina fans who watched Staley manage similar Fulwiley struggles with firm but patient coaching. Now Mulkey faces the same challenge: maximizing elite talent that comes with inconsistency and decision-making issues that undermine team success.
Trouble in Baton Rouge?
The question “Is there trouble down in Baton Rouge?” is no longer rhetorical speculation—it’s increasingly answered by on-court results. Starting SEC play 0-2, struggling with turnovers and execution, dealing with injuries, and facing a brutal upcoming schedule creates a perfect storm of challenges.
Mulkey’s championship pedigree and coaching excellence provide hope that LSU can right the ship, but the margin for error has evaporated. The Tigers need immediate improvement in ball security, defensive execution, and clutch-moment performance to avoid a spiral that could define the season negatively.
The Bottom Line
Kim Mulkey’s bold recruiting pitch that “ballers wanna play with ballers” attracted attention and talent, but basketball games aren’t won on recruiting headlines—they’re won through execution, discipline, and team chemistry. LSU’s 0-2 start to SEC play suggests that assembling talented individuals doesn’t automatically create championship teams.
As the schedule intensifies and pressure mounts, Mulkey must solve the turnover issues, injury complications, and execution failures that have plagued her team through two conference games. Otherwise, the “ballers” in Baton Rouge might be watching the postseason from home, wondering how promise became disappointment.
The next few games will determine whether LSU’s struggles represent temporary growing pains or a fundamental problem that threatens their entire season.
Kim
