When LSU head coach Kim Mulkey was absent from the post-game press conference during the Tigers’ recent match against Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL), her assistant coach Bob Starkey had big shoes to fill. However, it wasn’t just Mulkey’s absence that made headlines. Starkey’s blunt assessment of LSU’s performance after a lackluster 85-57 victory revealed the deeper struggles within the team, despite the win. The loss of Mulkey’s presence on the sidelines may have been felt, but Starkey’s words left no ambiguity about the Tigers’ shortcomings.

Starkey, when asked about the performance of Jersey Wolfenbarger, who had sparked the team during the game, didn’t mince words. “Well, I thought she gave us a spark, and I thought we were desperately in need of a spark today,” he began, acknowledging the significance of Wolfenbarger’s impact.

“We were, as a staff, disappointed with the way our team played today. We’ve been imploring them to start games quicker. We tend to start slow,” Starkey continued. The team’s sluggish start in the first half, combined with poor offensive execution, was a key point of frustration.

LSU managed to defend well, but their offense faltered, with 17 turnovers that Starkey could not overlook. “I mean 17 turnovers. And that’s not to take anything away from Louisiana, because I thought their kids played hard and they’re a well-coached team, but it was just very sloppy. We’re disappointed our fans had to watch that.”

Despite the win, LSU’s overall performance against ULL exposed some troubling flaws, especially in their shooting and decision-making. With a field goal percentage of just 35.5% and 17 turnovers, the Tigers struggled offensively, relying too much on their defense to keep them in the game.

Mulkey’s LSU Flawed Performance Against ULL Raises Concerns for Title Hopes

Starkey’s blunt remarks underscored a growing concern: the team was not living up to its potential. The Tigers had more turnovers than ULL (21), but the game was still far from a dominant victory. Looking at the stats, LSU’s shooting was more effective from the free-throw line (73.2%) than from the field (47.4%), with standout performances from Wolfenbarger and Aneesah Morrow. Wolfenbarger had a team-high 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Morrow added 15 points and 15 rebounds, showcasing the team’s individual talents.

However, those performances were overshadowed by a general lack of cohesion on offense. LSU’s turnovers and failure to capitalize on opportunities raised serious questions about their readiness for tougher challenges ahead.

Starkey’s frustration wasn’t just about the game at hand—it was also a warning for the future. The Tigers, despite their star power, were failing to find consistency in their execution. His critique was a reflection of the team’s bigger issues: slow starts, lackluster offense, and an overall sense of underachievement that they couldn’t afford to ignore as the season progressed.

As the Tigers gear up for more high-stakes games, Starkey’s remarks serve as a stark reminder that LSU’s road to success will not be without its bumps. Despite having the talent to compete with the best, LSU’s ability to overcome these growing pains will define whether they can truly contend for a title this season.