LSU Tigers women's basketball

The LSU Tigers women's basketball program has become one of the most formidable forces in college sports. Representing Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I competition, the team plays its home games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the Baton Rouge campus. The program reached its pinnacle in 2023, capturing the NCAA national championship with a 102-85 victory over Iowa.

Kim Mulkey took over as head coach on April 25, 2021, replacing Nikki Fargas, who had led the team since the 2011-2012 season. Mulkey arrived with an unmatched resume, having won three national titles at Baylor University. Her hiring signaled LSU's ambition to compete at the highest level. Under her guidance, the Tigers blend high-octane offense with tenacious defense, playing an up-tempo style that has energized fans and recruits alike. The program's budget and resources place it among the elite in women's college basketball, with consistent sellout crowds at the PMAC.[edit]

The program began in 1975 and joined the SEC in 1982. Under coach Sue Gunter in the 1990s, LSU made consistent NCAA tournament appearances but never broke through to the Final Four. That changed under Pokey Chatman, who led the Tigers to five straight Final Fours from 2004 to 2008, though they fell short of the title each time, losing in the national semifinals or championship game. Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles starred during that era, earning All-America honors and WNBA careers.

After Chatman's resignation in 2007, Van Chancellor took over for four seasons, followed by Nikki Fargas from 2011 to 2021. The program remained competitive but did not return to the Final Four. In 2021, LSU hired Kim Mulkey away from Baylor. In just her second season, Mulkey guided the Tigers to a 34-2 record, the SEC regular-season title, and the program's first NCAA championship. The 2023 title game against Iowa drew record television ratings, cementing LSU's place among the sport's elite.[edit]