Honestly, if you follow Kim Mulkey at all, you know she doesn't do things by the book. People were already talking about the LSU women’s basketball schedule months before the first tip-off in November. Why? Because the strategy is always the same: keep the non-conference "manageable" to build confidence, then dive headfirst into the SEC meat grinder. It’s a polarizing approach. Some fans love the high-scoring blowouts against teams like Houston Christian, while critics argue it leaves the Tigers unprepared for the speed of elite conference play.
We are currently in the thick of the 2025-26 campaign. Right now, as we hit mid-January, the vibe around Baton Rouge has shifted from "undefeated excitement" to "SEC reality check."
The January Gauntlet and the Oklahoma Trip
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re looking for the game today, the Tigers are in Norman. This is a massive one. LSU is taking on No. 13 Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM CST on ESPN2.
This game is kinda the ultimate test of where this roster stands. After losing the SEC opener on New Year's Day to Kentucky (a 71-66 heartbreaker at the PMAC) and then dropping a road game to Vanderbilt on January 4, the pressure is on. Mulkey was pretty blunt about it after that Vandy loss. She basically said that if they hadn't played an easier non-conference schedule, they might have even more losses right now. It’s that trademark Mulkey honesty—she knows this team is talented but still finding its identity after losing Aneesah Morrow to the WNBA.
Upcoming Key Matchups
After the Oklahoma game, the LSU women’s basketball schedule doesn't get any easier. You've got to keep these dates on your radar:
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- January 22: A late-night trip to College Station to face Texas A&M. That’s an 8:00 PM start on the SEC Network.
- January 26: Back home at the PMAC against Florida. Monday night hoops under the lights.
- January 29: Arkansas comes to town.
- February 1: A Sunday morning clash with Alabama at 11:00 AM.
The most anticipated game of the entire regular season, though? Circle February 14. Valentine's Day. South Carolina comes to Baton Rouge. It’s being broadcast on ABC at 7:30 PM. It is going to be absolute chaos in the best way possible.
Who Is Stepping Up This Year?
You can't talk about the schedule without talking about the kids playing the minutes. Flau’jae Johnson is the undisputed leader of this group now. She’s a senior. It feels like just yesterday she was a freshman winning a Natty, but now she’s the one calming everyone down when the offense gets stagnant.
Then you have Mikaylah Williams. She’s a junior now and playing like a pro. Her ability to create her own shot is what keeps LSU in these tight SEC games. But the real "X-factor" has been the newcomer, Amiya Joyner. Coming over from East Carolina, she had huge shoes to fill with Morrow gone. She’s been a double-double machine, though she's still adjusting to the physicality of the SEC post players.
We’re also seeing a lot more from sophomore Jada Richard. The Lafayette native has been a spark plug off the bench. When the starters look tired, she comes in and just plays fast. It’s fun to watch.
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Breaking Down the SEC Format
The SEC looks different now. With Texas and Oklahoma in the mix, the conference is a 16-team monster. LSU only plays one team twice this year: the Texas Longhorns.
They already played the first leg of that home-and-home on January 11. It was a statement win at home, which makes the upcoming trip to Austin on February 5 even more high-stakes. If LSU can sweep Texas, it changes their entire seed projection for March.
Speaking of March, the SEC Tournament is heading back to Greenville, South Carolina. That runs from March 4 through March 8. If the Tigers want a double-bye, they basically can't afford more than one or two more losses the rest of the way.
The TV Situation
Most games are on the SEC Network or ESPN2, but the big ones—like South Carolina—are getting the prime ABC slots. If you aren't in Baton Rouge, you're basically glued to the ESPN app. Also, if you’re a local, all games are still on Mustang 107.1 FM. There’s something nostalgic about listening to a Kim Mulkey team on the radio while stuck in Baton Rouge traffic.
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Real Talk: The "Soft" Schedule Criticism
There is a lot of noise every year about LSU's non-conference strength of schedule. This year, they played teams like Alcorn State, Grambling, and Alabama State. People on Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it today) lose their minds over it.
But look at the results. Mulkey uses November and December as a laboratory. She’s testing lineups. She’s seeing if freshman Grace Knox can handle 20 minutes of pressure. She’s seeing if Kate Koval, the transfer from Notre Dame, can protect the rim without fouling.
Does it hurt them in January? Maybe. Those losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt suggest there’s a "warm-up" period they have to go through. But by the time the NCAA Tournament starts on March 18, LSU usually looks like a finished product. That’s the trade-off.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the LSU women’s basketball schedule, don't just rely on those old printed calendars. Things change.
- Check the "Kim Mulkey Show": It usually airs on Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM. She gives insights into injuries and scouting reports that you won't find in a box score.
- Buy SEC Tournament Tickets Early: If you're planning to go to Greenville in March, buy them now. The South Carolina fans travel in droves, and that arena fills up fast.
- Watch the Standings: Since LSU only plays most teams once, every single game is a tiebreaker. Keep an eye on how Tennessee and Ole Miss are doing, because those are the teams LSU will be fighting for a top-4 seed.
- The PMAC Experience: If you can get to a home game, do it. The atmosphere for the South Carolina game on Feb 14 is going to be unlike anything else in women's sports.
The rest of the season is going to be a rollercoaster. Between the high-low of the Texas rivalry and the looming shadow of the Gamecocks, there isn't a boring week left on the calendar. Pack your purple and gold; it's going to be a long way to the Final Four.
To stay current, keep your eyes on the official LSU Sports site for any last-minute tip time adjustments, as TV networks often flex these games to better slots as the title race heats up.