LSU Tigers’ latest commanding win over the Arkansas Razorbacks wasn’t just another win in the team’s impressive season. It felt like a pointed reminder of how far this team has come under Kim Mulkey’s leadership. Amidst the cheers and accolades, Mulkey’s post-game reflections brought the spotlight back to two pivotal players: Last-Tear Poa and Sa’Myah Smith.

2023 was the turning point for LSU women’s basketball. With Mulkey at the helm, the team won their first NCAA title, routing Iowa 102-85. It wasn’t just a win; that championship was a statement. Angel Reese and Alexis Morris shone brightly, while Poa and Smith made an impact off the bench. 

Fast forward to 2024-25 season and LSU is back in the national conversation. A team that has won 16 in a row is firing on all cylinders. But Mulkey believes Poa and Smith, whose performances are critical for another championship run, have untapped potential.

Poa has stepped up her game this season, with precision shooting and good playmaking. On the other hand, Smith remains a forward that dominates, yet does so with great shooting percentages and rebounds. The growth of their stats is underlined, but Mulkey keeps her eye on their 2023 championship-ish form.

After the Razorbacks game, Kim Mulkey didn’t hold back her praise. “I thought she did a good job,” Mulkey said of Poa. “She was assigned to Higginbottom to start the game. And I thought she really did a good job on her.” Smith’s versatile performance also got its share of the applause. “It was good to also see Sa’Myah Smith hit some shots and give us good minutes in there,” Mulkey added.

However, her emphasis on their championship contributions was clear: “Those two probably are the two that stand out to me. Because those two young ladies were big in our run when we won the National Championship two years ago. And we need them to get back to playing like they’re capable of playing.”

This season, Poa averages 2.6 points and 2.4 assists per game. However, we see her at her best in the recent match against Arkansas, where she scored 9 points and 6 assists. On the other side of the floor, Smith has been just as important, averaging 9.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game, with her at times being the spark LSU needed most. While the duo looks to get their potential channeled, LSU’s NCAA Championship odds for 2025 could rise as a result.

Can Kim Mulkey take LSU to their 2nd NCAA Championship?

LSU has been dominant out of the gate for its 2024-25 season. At 16-0, and with wins over Stanford and NC State, they are legitimate threats. Kim Mulkey is and always has been a coaching acumen. It’s been a game-changer for LSU that she’s able to maximize talent and strategically deploy her roster. The depth on the team, particularly Poa and Smith’s contributions, is just what a team needs for the constant SEC schedule and NCAA tournament.

However, challenges loom. The SEC is as competitive as it has always been and South Carolina as well as Texas have shown that they are a match for any other team from the conference. LSU also has to replace some big shoes left by stars like Angel Reese. The overcoming of these challenges will call for consistency and top-notch performance from everyone in the team.

Although not the clear favorite, LSU has pretty much everything that any team can dream of–talent, depth, and Mulkey at the helm of the team. The recipe for finding the second championship lies in emulating the success of the year 2023, and Poa and Smith might well be the two individuals who could make it possible.