The Louisiana sun beat down on the Pete Maravich Assembly Center court, but inside, the air was crisp with air conditioning and the electric buzz of a new season. I was watching the LSU women’s basketball team run drills, the squeak of their sneakers a familiar soundtrack to my afternoons. I’ve been covering this team for a decade, and there’s a particular feeling in the air this year—a mix of swagger and unfinished business. It’s a feeling that takes me back to last April in Dallas, to the confetti and the pure, unadulterated joy on Angel Reese’s face as she held that national championship trophy aloft. That moment, that incredible run, is what we’re all still talking about. It’s the story we can’t get enough of, the benchmark for everything that comes next. So, let’s break down LSU women's basketball's championship journey and future prospects, because honestly, it’s one of the most compelling narratives in sports right now.
I remember thinking during that title game, as they methodically dismantled Iowa, that this wasn’t just a team winning a game; it was a cultural reset. Coach Kim Mulkey, in only her second year, had engineered one of the most stunning turnarounds in NCAA history. They finished the season with a staggering 34-2 record, and their offense was simply a spectacle. They averaged over 80 points a game, and watching them was like watching a masterclass in offensive rebounding and transition play. That journey to the top, however, is always more fragile than it looks from the outside. It reminds me of the pressure other great teams have faced. I was reading about a professional league overseas recently, and a line stuck with me, something about a coach or a star player being "foiled in his attempt to score a first grand slam in the last 11 years when TNT lost against San Miguel in the Philippine Cup title series." That’s the thing about dynasties and repeat attempts; the world is constantly trying to foil you. Everyone wants to be the San Miguel to your TNT. For LSU, the target on their back is now massive. Last season, they were the hunters. This season, they are the hunted, and every single team on their schedule will bring their absolute best, hoping to be the one that takes down the champions.
Now, looking at this year’s squad, the future prospects are blindingly bright, but they’re not without their questions. The core of that championship team is back, which is almost unheard of in today’s game. Angel Reese is a walking double-double, and her leadership has visibly grown. Flau’jae Johnson brings an explosive scoring punch and a raw, emotional energy that fans absolutely adore. But the biggest story, the one that has the whole college basketball world watching Baton Rouge, is the arrival of Hailey Van Lith. I’ve seen a lot of transfers in my time, but this one feels different. She’s a superstar in her own right, a floor general who can take over a game. Integrating a player of her caliber is the ultimate high-stakes experiment. On paper, it makes LSU nearly unstoppable. On the court, it requires egos to be set aside and a new chemistry to be forged almost overnight. I’m optimistic, but I’ve been around long enough to know that talent alone doesn’t win championships; cohesion does. It’s the little things—the unspoken communication on a backdoor cut, the trust to take a charge, the willingness to make the extra pass. That’s what they’re building right now in those practice sessions I watch.
From an SEO perspective, if you’re searching for insights on LSU’s chances for a repeat, you’re going to find a million opinions. But from my seat, here’s the real talk. Their non-conference schedule is a gauntlet—they’ll face Colorado, Virginia Tech, and UConn before Christmas. That’s a brutal stretch that will either forge them into an even stronger unit or expose any cracks in the foundation. The SEC is also deeper than it’s been in years. South Carolina is, of course, still a powerhouse, and Tennessee is always a tough out. I believe their success hinges on two things: perimeter defense and bench production. Last year, they could outscore almost anyone, but elite teams in March exploit defensive weaknesses. If they can lock down the three-point line and get consistent minutes from players like Last-Tear Poa and Sa’Myah Smith, I genuinely don’t see anyone stopping them from cutting down the nets again. It’s a tall order, a quest that could easily be foiled by a single bad night or a hot-shooting opponent, much like that grand slam attempt that fell short after an 11-year wait. The margin for error is just that thin at the very top. But something about this LSU team makes you believe they relish that pressure. They don’t just want to win; they want to dominate, to leave a legacy. And as I watch them practice, I can’t help but feel that this story is far from over. In fact, the most exciting chapters are likely still to be written.
