Kim Mulkey targets 1 bothersome shortcoming LSU Tigers need to work on after the holidays: "You're not gonna win many games if teams do that"
Kim Mulkey has always been a blunt critic of her team and doesn't sugarcoat her opinions of their shortcomings. Despite talented stars like Flau'Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow, and Mikaylah Williams, Mulkey is constantly striving to improve her team from their weaknesses instead of just letting them focus on their strengths.
Therefore, even after beating the UIC Flames comfortably 91-73, Mulkey felt that there were some shortcomings her team needed to iron out. During the post-game press conference, when asked about the biggest shortcoming she feels her team needs to iron out, she said:
“Defense, we need to get better defensively. We don’t defend like it matters, we defend like ‘We’re better than you and we’re gonna outscore you’. And that just bothers me.” (2:30 onwards)
And when she was asked about how she thinks her team can improve on it, she further added,
“You work on it when you get back from the holidays. You work on it, you make it important. You have all of them buy into it, get in a stance and we’ve got to get back to being a better defensive team. They shot 40 percent from the field, you’re not going to win many games when teams do that.”
Key takeaways for LSU Tigers: Defeating UIC and plans
This game had a special significance for LSU star Aneesah Morrow. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, did her schooling there, and even started her basketball career with the DePaul Blue Demons in Chicago.
And befittingly, despite starting slow, she had a dominant game as the second-highest scorer on the LSU Tigers behind star guard Johnson. She finished the game with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists.
![LSU stars Aneesah Morrow and Flau'Jae Johnson double team Stanford's Mary Ashlyn Stevenson [Stanford v LSU - Source: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/dfe98-17347102110048-1920.jpg?w=500)
Going into the Christmas break, the LSU Tigers have only one game left in this calendar year before heading into an action-packed January, wherein they have matchups against three ranked teams.
While facing #18 ranked Tennessee and #10 ranked Oklahoma will be exciting matchups, the highlight matchup next month will be when they go on the road to face the NCAA defending champions South Carolina.
The last time these two teams met was in the decider game of the SEC conference, where South Carolina won 79-72. This game included the controversial scuffle between Johnson, Ashlyn Watkins, and Kamilla Cardoso.
Further, Flau'Jae's brother also rushed onto the court to defend his sister after Cardoso shoved her to the floor. This incident led to his arrest with assault and battery charges.
![Dawn Staley (left-center) and Kim Mulkey (right) [NCAA Womens Basketball: South Carolina at Louisiana State - Source: Imagn]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/22374450-1734712432.jpeg)
Mulkey and Dawn Staley are two of the most elite coaches in the NCAA right now. Therefore, fans anticipate elite basketball will be at its peak for both these teams when they face off on Jan. 23. This game will be the real test to see if Kim Mulkey's side has actually improved their defense over the holidays.