Kim Mulkey’s Tigers are facing an identity crisis. Their Elite Eight loss has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, exposing fractures in Baton Rogue. No one expected UCLA to upset the former champions, but luck wasn’t with the team that day. As transfer portal entries pile up, the legendary coach and architect of this LSU team has an important job to do–make sure that the squad doesn’t disintegrate.

Talia Goodman, national reporter, was the bearer of bad news for Kim Mulkey and her squad. LSU’s Last-Tear Poa has announced that she is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. It comes as a shock to the college basketball community who didn’t expect the veteran guard to be taking her leave at such a crucial juncture.

Undoubtedly, Poa’s story has been inspirational beyond belief. The five-foot-eleven point guard transferred from Northwest Florida State College, which is a JUCO, to pursue her passion at the highest level.

Last-Tear Poa joined LSU in 2022, the same year Angel Reese transferred from Maryland, becoming part of the core that propelled the Tigers to the 2023 NCAA Championship. While Reese dominated the spotlight with her double-doubles and Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors, Poa, she’s made an impact too!

Last season, Poa drew 31 charges, showing a defensive tenacity that endeared her to LSU supporters. However, she hasn’t been getting solid minutes with the Tigers, and isn’t getting a lot of opportunities with the team.

However, according to some fans, it might be that the legendary coach is pushing the five-foot-eleven guard out. Kim Mulkey’s tenure at LSU has been defined by aggressive roster reconstruction, often leveraging the transfer portal to build championship-caliber teams. Since arriving in Baton Rouge in 2021, she’s brought in high-profile transfers like Reese, Hailey Van Lith, and Aneesah Morrow, while also seeing departures like Sa’Myah Smith, who entered the portal just days before Poa.

LSU only has 15 scholarship spots, and with her low usage rate? It would only make sense to let her walk to some other team where both parties can be happy. The senior guard is only averaging 2 points a game on 13 minutes played this season, so what kind of an impact will her absence have on the team exactly?

But what do the fans have to say? How did they react to a veteran presence leaving the locker room so quickly after an Elite Eight embarrassment? Let’s find out!

Fans jab at Kim Mulkey for losing valuable veteran Last-Tear Poa

Social media was on the verge of a meltdown after hearing this news. While fans are often harsh towards their favorite players, Poa had really endeared herself to the Tigers community. So when she announced that she was leaving? The reaction wasn’t that great for the fans of the program.

According to some fans, it was Kim Mulkey who orchestrated her departure. “I feel like Kim Mulkey pushes her out. BUT, she could’ve been a great veteran for the guards coming in.” A fan said on X, pointing out the possible reason for Poa’s decision. “The writing was on the wall… Mulkey refused to play her in the tourney. She better than the other guards.” Another user said, agreeing with the theory. Strategically, it makes sense for LSU to get rid of players like Poa, but it was an abrupt change for sure! 

Some fans, however, expressed their excitement for the five-foot-eleven guard to get new opportunities. “I’m really glad for her . The whole fan base just tore her down . No matter what she did they would complain . Go be great last tear !” Another fan said on X, and the sentiment was quite common. “I pray somebody grab her cause she can really hoop fr she just need a opportunity.” A well-wisher of Poa’s said, praising the Australian point guard.

However, for other fans, this created a huge question mark for the future of the team. If the Tigers were really doing a roster overhaul, some fan-favorites might get the boot as well. Particularly, a fan expressed concern about LSU’s backup center Aaliyah Del Rosario, who had been delegated to a similar role as Poa.

With Angel Reese now in the WNBA, Hailey Van Lith transferred out in 2024, and Aneesah Morrow’s collegiate career concluded, LSU is losing key pieces from its recent success. With only 11 of 15 scholarship spots currently filled, LSU’s roster is in flux, “Is ADR next??” The supporter asked in a tweet.

The truth is, we don’t know who’s next and who isn’t. After the Elite Eight loss, we might be witnessing a rebuild in the LSU program. Kim Mulkey has a lot of people doubting her ability to coach, and to keep control over her locker room, so this off-season will be crucial for the legend. Will the Tigers be able to bounce back from this NCAA Tournament elimination? Only time will tell.