Kim Mulkey's LSU Lady Tigers balled out once again, grinding out a clutch 82-77 win over the Tennessee Lady Vols in a tough showdown on the hardwood. With this win, LSU (22-9, 11-7 SEC) extends its winning streak to five games, where does that leave LSU in the upcoming Associated Press women's basketball poll?
A Top-Five Ranking Seems Certain
The Lady Tigers have honored around the top five for most of the season, and with this crutial SEC, they've built a strong case to climb even higher. Prior to this game, LSU was ranked No. 6, but taking down a tough Tennessee squad, fresh off a massive win against No. 5 UConn, could be enough to push the Tigers up the ranking.
A major factor working in LSU's favor is the relative shakiness of other top teams. If any of the current top five falter, LSU could find itself in the No. 4 or even No. 3 spot. South Carolina remains the undisputed No. 1, but Texas, Iowa, and Stanford have all shown vulnerabilities in recent weeks. The Tigers' balanced attack, featuring standout performances from Flau'Jae Johnson, Mikaylah William, and Aneesah Morrow, is exactly the kind of consistency that poll voters value.
Dominating the SEC: A Major Poll Booster
LSU topping in the conference continues to be a significant storyline. The Tigers' 10-1 SEC record is among the best in the nation, with their only loss coming early in the season. While Missouri gave LSU a tougher game than expected, the Tigers still managed to grind out a win, something that championship-caliber teams do.
For the first time in program history, LSU has defeated Tennessee twice in the same season! pic.twitter.com/NbqTGNElpE
— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) February 9, 2025
Tennessee, on the other hand, remains an enigma. The Lady Vols' inconsistency has hurt them, as they followed up their monumental win over UConn with a close loss to LSU. That kind of volatility matters when evaluating LSU's win quality. The fact that Mulkey's team has now beaten Tennessee twice this season only strengthens their case.
The X-Factor: LSU's Depth
One of the most encouraging signs for LSU is that they are no longer overly reliant on their "Big Three" of Johnson, Williams, and Morrow. The emergence of Kailyn Gilbert as a clutch performer has given the Tigers an added edge. Gilbert's 23-point performance against Tennessee, coupled with her previous heroics in LSU's first win over the Vols'. Additionally, Mjracle Shepperd and Jade Richard provided crucial support, proving LSU's supporting cast is ready for the big stage. This kind of well-rounded performance will not go unnoticed by poll voters.
Kailyn Gilbert put on an absolute clinic against No. 19 Tennessee 😮💨
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 9, 2025
The @LSUwbkb guard scored 15 of her game-high 23 Pts in the 3rd quarter 😳 pic.twitter.com/4gxCfiuEuM
How High Can LSU Climb?
With their latest victory, LSU is set to make a move in the rankings. The exact placement will depend on how the other top teams fare. If Texas, Stanford, or Iowa slip up, LSU could find itself at No. 4 or even No. 3. However, if all top-ranked teams hold serve, LSU will likely remain at No. 5.
Looking ahead, the Tigers have another high-stakes matchup against Texas, which just took down South Carolina. If the Tigers can claim another top-tier win, they might not just be looking at a higher AP ranking-they could be making a strong case for a No. 1 seed come tournament time.
For now, expect LSU to move up at least one spot in the AP Poll. But if they keep winning, the sky's the limit for the Lady Tigers.