Everything Kim Mulkey said after LSU defeats Albany upon returning from Christmas break

Right after the LSU Tigers defeated the Albany Great Danes by 23 points, 83-61, coach Kim Mulkey talked about her team's momentum as the year came to a conclusion and conference games approached.

Throughout her roughly 12 minutes on the microphone answering questions from the media, Mulkey's responses revolve around the narrative that the 2024-2025 LSU Tigers are revamping and learning new ways to win ball games despite being undefeated with a 16-0 record.

In one instance, the 2023 NCAA national champion coach spoke about how her team was able to get back into the string of things after the holiday break.

"Coming back from the Christmas break, you expect to be rusty, out of sync, and we were. But, our field goal percentage got better as the game wore on. Now is that because they got fatigued? Maybe. They've been on a break too. But, I thought we started out, got fatigued, and kind of got a second wind there offensively in the third and fourth quarter," Mulkey said. (7:00)

Even with the unblemished standing thus far, Mulkey is aware that her squad is different from the 2023 national title-winning team. As such, she is constantly looking for ways to improve and what schemes work best to address any concerns they may have.

"We're 15 and 0. Let's remember that. Whether we won by a last second shot or we won in double digits, we're not the gonna be the type of team that blows people out. We've got too many new pieces. We've got roles that have now changed. The longer we play together, the better teams we play, the better we will get. We will see better teams in the SEC," she added. (7:50)

Speaking about SEC games coming up, Mulkey asserted that her team's primary focus in the conference first is the gutsy Arkansas Razorbacks who are 7-8 on the campaign.

"Arkansas is our focus right now. They have the leading scorer in the SEC. Everytime you play an SEC team, it's going to be just a dog fight. If we're fighting and we can win enough of them, we'll be alright. But, we've got a lot to clean up, to improve on and it's going to be a challenging and fun coaching year," she said. (10:40)

They'll face the Razorbacks to open SEC matchups and 2025 on Wednesday, Jan. 1, in Arkansas's home court.

Kim Mulkey says it's harder to defend 1-on-1 nowadays

Kim Mulkey, 62, said the rapid speed of basketball makes it more difficult for players to guard opponents in 1-on-1 scenarios.

"It's so difficult this day and age to defend people one-on-one anymore. I mean people just work on their game and it's just hard. I think that if you attached a rope to all five players on the defensive end, I pull you cause I just got beat here," she said. (16:00)

With years of successful coaching college basketball teams, Mulkey aims to take the 2024 roster to the NCAA championship.