LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey conceded that the Tigers were “lucky” to defeat Washington on Monday – mere days after she blasted her players for not stepping up to fill the team’s leadership void.

Despite leading at the end of each of the first three quarters of the contest, Washington wasn’t able to fend off a late comeback from No. 7 LSU – ultimately falling to the Tigers, 68-67.

Speaking to reporters following the game, Mulkey was blunt in her assessment of LSU’s performance, claiming that the Tigers were fortunate to have squeaked out a victory. “First of all, we’re very lucky to have won the game,” she said.

“But you know what you create your own luck. Had we not won the game, I still would have been proud of the effort that was given with that group on the floor.

“The last five to 10 minutes, they fought really hard to try to make things positive or make positive things happen. To put yourself in a position to win. They played their little 3-2 Zone. They hadn’t played that in two years. I thought it was outstanding.”

This isn’t the first time this season that Mulkey has made a concerning admission on the heels of a narrow win. Following LSU’s 85-74 win over Tulane last Wednesday, the 62-year-old questioned why none of her young players were willing to assume a greater leadership role this year.

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Kim Mulkey speculated that her young players don't want to be leaders for fear of being disliked

Kim Mulkey speculated that her young players don’t want to be leaders for fear of being disliked ( 

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“I don’t know why young people don’t want to lead anymore,” she said during a postgame press conference. “Do you have a suggestion? I think I know why. Because they want everybody to like them.

“Leaders aren’t going to be liked. Leaders are going to challenge their teammates. Leaders are going to hold them accountable. I never had a problem just leading and guiding as a point guard, and taking care of them, but challenging. Kids don’t want to lead anymore.”

Ever since Angel Reese departed LSU in favor of the 2024 WNBA Draft – where she was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky – Mulkey and co. have been scrambling to find someone to fill the star forward’s shoes. While recently appearing on the ‘In Case You Missed It’ podcast with Khristina Williams, assistant coach Seimone Augustus admitted that the Tigers are still struggling to replace her.

“Angel was the leader,” Augustus said. “Angel was like a leader on and off the court, points, rebounds, everything. So now we get to see a new set of leaders, a new set of followers, a new set of competitors. Like who’s going to step up to this challenge and fill that role?”

Augustus encouraged the next wave of talent to assume larger roles that are now open, adding: “But who are you now that Angel has been removed? What is your identity?

“Over the last few weeks we were starting to see they starting to learn how tough it is to lead and also how tough it is to follow, and also bring your best every day and make sure that your teammates are emotionally okay, and make sure the coaches are all right. It’s like a process, but it’s a beautiful mix of chaos that has a number of opportunities for them all to grow.”