LSU women’s basketball team enjoyed rip-roaring pre-season form as they clawed their way to lop-sided victories over Xavier and Alexandria in the last week, and appear ready for the NCAA season to tip-off on November 4.

However, never one to hold back her opinion, Mulkey has told the team exactly where they need to improve ahead of Monday’s game against Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

“Our defense, particularly-man to-man … we got to get better on the perimeter and stop the team’s penetration,” Mulvey said, according to lsureveille.com. “I think we have enough depth and athleticism to clean up what we’re just kind of struggling to right now.”

A standout performer from the 117-37 win over Alexandria was from the new guard from Arizona, Kailyn Gilbert, who posted 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Mulkey, though, wants more. “I’ll be real with you,” she said. “You’re not going to get to play on that offensive end if you don’t guard on the defensive end.” LSU, she said, expects greater focus on defense. “We work on it every day. Her on-ball defense is better right now than her off-ball defense.”

Elsewhere in the game, Sa’Myah Smith excelled on her maiden game for LSU with a double-double; 12 points, and 10 rebounds.

And, despite the point-scoring excellence from Gilbert, she was out-shone from Flau’jae Johnson. The 20-year-old guard has competed for LSU since 2022, helped the team win the NCAA championship in 2023, and remains a critical player with 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Johnny Derrick (seated closest to Kim Mulkey) was a key part of LSU basketball operations before his retirement.

Johnny Derrick (seated closest to Kim Mulkey) was a key part of LSU basketball operations before his retirement. ( 

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Four-time NCAA Division I tournament champion coach Mulvey will be hoping this season to increase her honors roll having guided LSU to the Elite Eight, falling only to Iowa Hawkeyes in April.

Aside from Eastern Kentucky, LSU’s opening games include matches against NW State on November 8, Charleston Soutern Buccaneers on November 12, and Murray State on November 15 amid other fixtures that come thick and fast.

To fortify their hopes of success, Mulkey and LSU’s basketball staff may be looking to explore recruiting options, according to Sports Illustrated. SI noted that two of the best prospects in college basketball have “verbally committed” to LSU through Bella Hines and Divine Bourrage. But they’re also reportedly interested in Zakiyah Johnson and Grace Knox, too.

The country’s No.4 prospect, Johnson is expected to make a decision regarding her college on Sunday. This, after visiting LSU in September, but has seemingly been considering Louisville and Kentucky, too. Knox, meanwhile, appeared to hit it off with Mulkey in September when they met as they were seen dancing together.