'kim Mulkey Leads Lsu To Ncaa Championship Victory With Tough Defense And Winning Mentality'

Kim Mulkey, one of the most successful coaches in women's college basketball, has finally led LSU to an elusive national title. The team's 52-46 victory over South Carolina on Sunday marked LSU's first NCAA championship since 2008, and the first for Mulkey in her debut season with the team.

Kim Mulkey's Journey to LSU

Mulkey's journey to LSU was an unconventional one. After spending 21 years as the head coach at Baylor, where she won three national championships, Mulkey decided to make a change. She left Baylor in April 2020 to take over at LSU, which had not advanced past the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament since 2014.

Many questioned Mulkey's decision to leave Baylor for LSU, but she saw it as a new challenge. "I'm a risk-taker," Mulkey said in a press conference after accepting the LSU job. "I like challenges. I like change."

Mulkey's arrival at LSU immediately had an impact. She brought in several key transfers, including guard Destinee Wells and forward Awa Trasi, who both played pivotal roles in LSU's championship run. Mulkey also instilled a winning mentality in her team, preaching the importance of defense and toughness.

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LSU's Road to the Championship

LSU's road to the championship was not an easy one. The team finished fourth in the SEC during the regular season and entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. But Mulkey's team was battle-tested, having played one of the toughest schedules in the country.

LSU's run to the championship game included victories over No. 2 seed Maryland, No. 3 seed Arizona, and No. 1 seed UConn. In the championship game against South Carolina, LSU's defense was the difference-maker. The team held South Carolina, which had the nation's top scoring offense, to just 46 points on 31 percent shooting.

A Very Emotional Victory for Mulkey and LSU

After the game, Mulkey was overcome with emotion. "It's been a long time," she said in a post-game interview. "To come here and do it in the first year, it's just special."

Mulkey's players echoed her sentiments. "Coach Mulkey is just amazing," said Trasi, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in the championship game. "She's brought us together as a team and pushed us to be our best."

LSU's victory was not only special for Mulkey and her team, but also for the school and its fans. The championship marked LSU's first in any sport since 2019, and just the second in women's basketball in school history.

As Mulkey and her team celebrated their championship, it was clear that they had overcome the odds and proved their doubters wrong. Mulkey's decision to take on a new challenge had paid off, and LSU had finally captured the national title that had eluded them for so long.

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