Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers will have a glaring flaw against Dawn Staley‘s South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025-26 season. This is according to college basketball analysts Matt Dowell and Jared Parker, who discussed the Gamecocks’ schedule for the upcoming season in the latest episode of the “South Carolina Sideline” show on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Dowell pointed out that the transfer of former Gamecocks standout MiLaysia Fulwiley bolsters LSU’s chances, especially with its already elite backcourt rotation. But he also raised concerns as to how coach Mulkey and her team will tackle the Gamecocks’ frontcourt and depth.
“For me, the big difference is that LSU has so many elite guards. Flau’jae Johnson, MiLaysia, and Mikaylah Williams are all elite. They are just great. But my biggest question comes down to the post. When you look at LSU’s roster, they only have one player over 6’2″, and that’s Kate Koval, who’s 6’5″, is coming to LSU from Notre Dame, where she was just a freshman last season, so she’s going to be a sophomore,” Dowell said (51:20).
He highlighted Koval’s standout game, but said it may not be enough for the current Gamecocks stalwarts.
“She’s 6’5″, but she averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds at Notre Dame, not huge stats, so that’s a lot to put on her. Then you look at South Carolina, who’s going to have Madina Okot, Adèle Tac, Mayam Dauda, Joyce Edwards, and Chloe Kits. A lot of depth there. The big question for LSU has always been depth, and can they match South Carolina? That’s really where the difference comes down to because LSU’s starting five is always elite and can compete with anybody in the country,” Dowell added (51:53).
Coach Mulkey and the 2024-25 Tigers finished their season with an overall record of 31-6 (12-4 SEC). They went all the way to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA tournament, but were defeated by the UCLA Bruins by seven points, 72-65.
Also Read: Analyst Weighs In on MiLaysia Fulwiley’s Addition to LSU As Kim Mulkey Loses 6 Tigers During Offseason
LSU vs Gamecocks will be held in PMAC
During the same discussion, Matt Dowell mentioned that the Tigers and Gamecocks’ matchup in the upcoming 2025-26 season will be played in the former’s home arena, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
For him, this will play a factor in the result of the game, given the animosity that South Carolina may face with a home LSU crowd.
“I do think the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is one of the hardest places to play in the country. It has one of the best atmospheres. Kim Mulkey and everyone has created an amazing environment there. Two years ago when they played there, it came down to the wire, and South Carolina was able to come through with a five-point win in the end. That was one of my favorite games of that season. So, I hope it’s something similar,” Dowell said (50:50).
Read More: LSU Women’s Basketball Schedule: Top 5 Takeaways As MiLaysia Fulwiley Takes On New Role for Kim Mulkey’s Tigers
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