Kim Mulkey Gets Emotional Talking About LSU Senior Flau’jae Johnson Before NCAA Tournament LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey expressed deep emotion during an ESPN Baton Rouge Radio show, “Off the Bench with Jacob Hester and Matt Flynn,” as she reflected on senior guard Flau’jae Johnson. The conversation centered on Johnson’s significance to the program, with Mulkey emphasizing the player’s impact as she prepares for her final game in the NCAA Tournament. Johnson, a standout guard, became the first McDonald’s All-American signee from high school to join LSU since Mulkey took over as head coach in April 2021. She was a key member of the 2023 national championship team and has since earned recognition as a 2025-26 AP second team All-American. Mulkey highlighted Johnson’s role in the upcoming tournament, stating that if LSU advances past Jacksonville, the game would mark her final appearance in a championship setting. “That will be her last game ever in a-, and I get emotional because that kid just meant so much to our program,” Mulkey said. The coach also stressed the importance of supporting Johnson’s final game, urging fans to attend and showing frustration over ticket availability. She explained that NCAA regulations require a certain number of seats near the benches for each team, which has led to adjustments in seating arrangements. “We need to sell it out,” Mulkey said, adding that the game’s significance extends beyond her program. “She’s going to be dearly missed. Not just in my program, but at this university.” Johnson’s journey at LSU has been marked by both athletic and personal achievements. Despite briefly considering the transfer portal after her freshman season, she chose to stay at LSU, where she balances her basketball career with her passion for music.#ncaa_tournament #lsu #kim_mulkey #flaujae_johnson #bet_hip_hop_awards
Texas Tech vs LSU game time set for 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament second round The Texas Tech women's basketball team has advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament after defeating 10-seed Villanova 57-52 on Friday. This marks the Lady Raiders' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. Their next challenge will be against host LSU, which defeated 15-seed Jacksonville 116-58 in the opening game of the quadrant. The Lady Raiders will face LSU at the Tigers' Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. The game will be broadcast on ABC and can also be streamed on Fubo, which requires a subscription. The Lady Raiders' victory over Villanova extended their season, ending a 20-year gap between NCAA Tournament appearances. Tech's 7-seed status in the bracket positioned them to face LSU, a 2-seed team that dominated its first-round matchup. The matchup at LSU's home arena adds significance, as the Tigers will host the second round of the tournament. The game is expected to draw national attention, given the high seedings of both teams and the historical context of Tech's return to the tournament. The scheduling of the game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center highlights LSU's role as a host site for the second round. While the exact time of the matchup is not specified in the provided text, the location and broadcast details are confirmed. Fans will have multiple options to watch the game, including traditional television and streaming platforms. The contest represents a key moment for both programs, with Texas Tech seeking to build on its historic win and LSU aiming to solidify its position as a top-tier team in the tournament.#ncaa_tournament #abc #lsu #texas_tech #pete_maravich_assembly_center
Kentucky’s Mark Pope jokes that Brandon Garrison’s late breakout was the plan all along Kentucky found an unexpected spark in Brandon Garrison during their SEC Tournament opener against LSU, securing an 87-82 victory at Bridgestone Arena. The ninth-seeded Wildcats, facing a 16th-seeded Tigers team, turned the tide with a decisive 8-0 run in the final nine minutes of the second half. Highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Garrison, the surge provided the necessary momentum to hold off LSU in the closing moments. The win echoed their earlier nail-biting victory over LSU in January, reinforcing the intensity of the matchup. Garrison’s performance was nothing short of impressive, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, alongside five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. His all-around contributions off the bench marked a significant shift from his regular-season output, where he had only made two three-pointers and averaged 4.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. This breakout game, his second-highest scoring effort of the season, came after a quiet regular season that saw him struggle to find his rhythm. Kentucky coach Mark Pope, however, was unsurprised by Garrison’s surge. In a lighthearted moment, Pope joked that Garrison had been hinting all season that he would hold back his shooting until the postseason. “He’s like, ‘Coach, I’m not going to make any shots until the postseason, and then I’m just going to save them,’ so he apparently knows more than I do,” Pope said, adding a touch of humor to the situation. The win solidified Kentucky’s position in the tournament, with the team now set to face Missouri in the second round on Thursday. Otega Oweh also played a crucial role, scoring a team-high 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds, including a key layup with less than two minutes remaining.#sec_tournament #lsu #kentucky #mark_pope #brandon_garrison
UK Sports Network Coverage of Kentucky Men’s Basketball vs LSU in the SEC Tournament Kentucky’s men’s basketball team will face LSU in the SEC Tournament, with live coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The broadcast will feature pregame analysis from Cameron Mills, Dave Baker, and Andrew Kappes, who will host the Jack Burford Chevrolet Countdown to Tip-off. Following the game, fans can tune in for the Wildcat Wrap Up, hosted by Tom Leach and Jack ‘Goose’ Givens, who will provide postgame insights and interview players and coaches. The game will be presented by UK HealthCare, with all coverage available on UKSN All Access. After the matchup, fans can access postgame quotes from both teams, offering firsthand accounts of the contest. The final score of Kentucky 87, LSU 82, highlights the team’s performance in the tournament. The broadcast will keep fans engaged with real-time updates and expert commentary throughout the game. The SEC Tournament provides a platform for Kentucky to showcase its talent and compete against top-tier opponents like LSU. The network’s coverage ensures fans stay connected to every moment of the action, from pregame preparation to postgame analysis. With the game’s outcome already decided, the focus shifts to reflecting on the performance and looking ahead to future matchups.#sec_tournament #lsu #uk_sports_network #kentucky_men_s_basketball #jack_burford_chevrolet
SEC Basketball Tournament Standings and Matchups Set The Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season has concluded, setting the stage for the 2026 SEC Tournament. Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt secured double-byes, while Tennessee, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Missouri earned single-byes. The remaining teams will compete in the tournament, with the first game scheduled for Wednesday at 12:30 PM ET between the Kentucky Wildcats and LSU. The final standings highlight key matchups and potential outcomes. Kentucky, with a strong SEC Tournament history, has won 136 games in the tournament and claimed 31 championships, including their last title in 2018. The Wildcats’ path includes a potential opening-round clash against LSU, followed by a Thursday game against Missouri if they advance. A win over LSU could position Kentucky for a Friday matchup against Florida, though the team has historically faced challenges in later rounds. Georgia, led by coach Mike White, is locked into the NCAA Tournament after securing a top-tier seed. The Bulldogs’ 9-seed last year marks their second consecutive tournament appearance, showcasing their consistency. Meanwhile, Auburn faces a critical test against Mississippi State, as a loss would end their season. Oklahoma’s fate also hinges on a win over Texas, which could be a pivotal moment for the Sooners. Vanderbilt’s tournament journey is unique, as they will start in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. The Commodores’ 2023 run to the semifinals, where they defeated LSU and Kentucky, set a precedent for their current season. With a strong regular season, Vanderbilt is assured of an NCAA Tournament berth regardless of their tournament performance. The expanded tournament format has increased the number of games, adding depth to the competition.#kentucky_wildcats #sec #lsu #vanderbilt #texas_a_m
