Kim Mulkey's LSU set for high-stake showdown in the Bahamas for Baha Mar Championship clash
Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers will face a major test early in the 2024-25 women's college basketball season as they will take part in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in the Bahamas.
The tournament will take place in Thanksgiving Week, with the Tigers facing the Washington Huskies on 25 November at 1:30 PM ET.
Should they beat the Huskies, they will face the winner of the game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Southern Jaguars on 27 November at 1:30 PM ET. This would be in the championship game. The losers of both games will play in a consolation game at 11:00 AM ET.
The Wolfpack is the only team in the field in the Bahamas to reach the Final Four last season, while the Tigers exited March Madness in the Elite Eight stage following a loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The Huskies' strong start to 2023-24 and the Jaguars' strength in the SWAC suggests that the Tigers will face stiff competition in the Bahamas during the tournament.
LSU keen to continue strong momentum under Kim Mulkey
Mulkey has been transformational to the Tigers' fortunes since taking over as their coach in 2021. In three seasons under her, the Tigers won the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and reached the Elite Eight this past season.
The impact of players like Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith was immense for the Tigers in Mulkey's first three seasons as Tigers coach. However, they will go without the duo into the 2024-25 season.
This is because the Chicago Sky made Reese the seventh overall pick in this year's WNBA draft, while Van Lith transferred to the TCU Horned Frogs.
The Tigers have worked hard in the offseason to find able replacements for the 2024-25 season, bringing in solid players like Mjracle Shepperd and Kailyn Gilbert to strengthen their roster.
They still have a solid core, including Flau'jae Johnson, 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year Mikaylah Williams and First-Team All-SEC guard Aneesah Morrow. The Tigers will arguably be one of the favorites to win their second NCAA Tournament title in three seasons.