We’re just moments away from a thrilling repeat of last season’s Sweet 16 showdown between the LSU Tigers and the UCLA Bruins. With a Final Four spot on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher!  When it comes to games like this, sometimes you need a bit of luck. Kim Mulkey is clearly doing everything she can to channel the basketball gods into her team’s favor!

The Bruins entered March Madness as the overall No. 1 seed. The Big Ten champs came in with just two losses all season and have been unstoppable ever since. Lauren Betts has been the star of the show, racking up 71 points in the first three games. She’ll be looking to keep that hot streak rolling tonight!

Meanwhile, LSU, the No. 3 seed, has roared through the tournament, averaging 94.7 points per game across their first three victories, outscoring opponents 284-192.

Mulkey’s fashion statements are always a spectacle. This time was no different either. She walked into the Spokane Arena in a sparkling floral coat. Louisiana fans were thrilled. Reporters quickly swarmed her, firing questions. But Mulkey had one of her own. “What’s our state flower?” she asked with a sly grin. She pointed to her jacket. The head coach was sporting Louisiana’s state flower – The Magnolia.

In the United States, the Magnolia tree symbolizes luck and stability and that is exactly what Mulkey and her Lady Tigers would need against the overall number 1 seed tonight.

On the other hand, in Louisiana, the Magnolia also stands for nobility and perseverance—values Mulkey has instilled in her squad since arriving in 2021, reflecting the state’s resilient spirit and her own roots as a Louisiana native.

While Kim Mulkey was rocking a coat with extra significance, Dawn Staley made her own statement at the Legacy Arena. She stepped out in an all-Chanel fit ahead of the Gamecocks’ game against Duke, showing off her signature style. The fashion game is strong on both sides tonight!

The Gamecocks have handled business against the Blue Devils, but the road ahead isn’t as smooth for the LSU Tigers. The UCLA Bruins are determined to get revenge after last year’s tournament loss, and they won’t go down easy. Kim Mulkey knows this all too well. She’s quick to give credit to her opponents, acknowledging just how tough this matchup is going to be.

Kim Mulkey acknowledges the UCLA threat

LSU’s toughest task against UCLA? Stopping Lauren Betts. The Bruins’ star is a force inside the paint. Kim Mulkey knows this all too well. She’s been vocal about her respect for the junior center’s talent. And she understands the challenge ahead. Contain Betts, or face the consequences. It’s as simple as that. But UCLA aren’t a one woman show either, which Mulkey understands.

“She is so talented. Just watching her from high school until today, it’s amazing how good she is. Certainly her height is an advantage and we’re not going to grow that tall overnight. But we have to battle and do the best we can. But she’s not all they have. Certainly, everything they do goes through her, as it should, but they’re talented at a lot of positions,” said Mulkey.

Keep an eye on Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Londynn Jones. These three can flip a game on its head if left unchecked. LSU’s dynamic post duo, Morrow and Smith, have their work cut out for them against Betts. But the real key? Play smart and stay out of foul trouble. The good news for LSU fans? Flau’jae Johnson is fit to play. That’s a massive boost for the Tigers.

Mulkey’s magnolia coat isn’t her first fashion flex—she wore a tiger-striped sequin suit during LSU’s 2023 title win and a Michael Jackson-inspired jacket in this year’s Sweet 16 triumph over NC State. It’s a calculated move to rally her team and the Tiger faithful.

It remains to be seen if Kim Mulkey’s iconic fit representing the state’s flower can bring her the luck she needs to reach another Final Four. The LSU Tigers are undoubtedly a talented side but do they have what it takes to beat the highflying Bruins? Guess only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates!