“Things aren’t always going to suit you, you have to fight through mistakes.” Well, yes. There’s no escape for Kim Mulkey’s Tigers who are in desperate need of revival! With a disastrous SEC Tournament exit, LSU is currently 1-3 in their last four games, which isn’t a great look going into the NCAA Tournament as one of the hosts. But if the head coach’s recent gesture suggests anything, she is confident about what’s to come. Or at least hopeful.

But first, what exactly happened to Mulkey’s team? Well, injuries did. Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, both crucial parts of the team, suffered injuries in their lower limbs. For Johnson, it was shin splints, and for Morrow? A sprained foot, leaving them both out during the key minutes of the conference tourney. However, Tigers Nation may no longer need to worry about that.

Just last Thursday, the Big 4 had taken to her Instagram stories to share “1st workout back with a smile in the court!” After being sidelined since the game against Ole Miss on March 2nd, that seemed like the first positive update from the Tiger. Double that now because the HC too has something to add.

On ESPN’s Off The Bench podcast, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey confirmed that her Tigers will be back to full strength again for the postseason. “Kim Mulkey said here that Aneesah Morrow and Flau’jae Johnson returned to practice yesterday,” Reed Darcey of NOLA shared. The head coach further confirmed that both stars are good to go for the game against San Diego State on Saturday.

However, she did express one concern.

Overdoing it before the game. “Both of them were shin and foot injuries, so you can’t just up and down the floor with that, but you could get some shots up and do some things,” she added. Good to go or not, Mulkey and staff have been consistent in prioritizing nursing the injuries before the game. Even if meant Flau’jae had to stay courtside for the SEC tournament. “Let’s rest her. It’s not worth it,” she had said as the guard suffered a series of bad games while playing through it. 

For the double-double machine, the training staff had to hold down an adamant Morrow who was ready to get back in the game after taking a fall. Losing two of its star players clearly hasn’t worked for the Tigers. Johnson’s leading her team with an average of 18.9 while the senior forward follows close behind with 18.5 points and 13.6 rebounds. So it’s only right Mulkey goes extra careful on the playing. Plus, she had a surprise for LSU students for the March Madness and they’d expect their star players in good health if they were to savor it well.

Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey surprises LSU crowd ahead of March Madness

Even with how rocky the regular season ended for LSU, it isn’t a team to be dismissed just yet. The Tigers are currently the third-seeded and will be going up against the #14 San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday. However, Kim Mulkey wanted the entire university to take part.

The benefit that LSU has in this playoff run is that the first two rounds will be at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. This is the fourth straight year in which the Tigers will be having their first two games at home, and that’s a definite advantage. Facing away crowds is difficult to do without rhythm, and that’s something that LSU is definitely lacking with their SEC embarrassment.

However, Mulkey took it a step further. The Tigers’ WBB X account posted a letter from the head coach to all the LSU students, asking them to support the team in the coming postseason. “We need you to be our 6th man during these playoff games.” Mulkey said, before announcing that she was buying out the entire student section for both games!

“I am pleased to be able to purchase all the student tickets for these games in the PMAC need for you is to show up, be loud, and propell us to victory!” The letter read, inviting all of the LSU students to come and support their Tigers! It was quite a generous act from the head coach. We can’t wait to see the action unfold in the PMAC on Saturday, as LSU looks to make a title run after a year’s gap!