LSU wasn’t just playing basketball—it was putting on a show. And if there was any doubt about how serious the Tigers were, that vanished in about three minutes. Kim Mulkey’s squad didn’t just win their NCAA Tournament opener; they obliterated San Diego State in a 103-48 beatdown that sent a message loud and clear. The reigning champs are here, and they mean business. But while the scoreboard told one story of dominance, Mulkey’s bank account told another—because that win just made her $35,000 richer. With that, her NCAA Tournament bonus total now sits at a cool $65,000, and if the Tigers keep rolling, so will the cash. Mulkey, already sitting on a 10-year, $32 million contract, has plenty of reasons to smile, but her players made sure this payday came with style. Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow wasted no time lighting up the Aztecs, leading LSU to its highest-scoring NCAA Tournament game ever. Johnson looked completely unfazed by her recent injury, dropping 22 points in 22 minutes, while Morrow dominated with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. San Diego State, fresh off an exhausting triple-overtime win just to get here, ran straight into a buzzsaw. By halftime, the Tigers led by 29. By the final buzzer, the gap had ballooned to 56. And while Mulkey’s undefeated first-round streak stayed alive—now at 22 straight wins—the other streak people were talking about was her streak of iconic March Madness outfits. The coach strutted onto the court in a powder blue pantsuit that was as sharp as her team’s execution, complete with textured heels and a floral sash that had social media buzzing. At this point, LSU’s tournament run isn’t just about basketball—it’s about fashion, flair, and the drama of a team chasing another title. Next up, the Tigers face No. 6 seed Florida State in the Round of 32. Will they keep rolling? Will Mulkey’s next outfit steal the show? Either way, it’s going to be a spectacle.
LSU wasn’t just playing basketball—it was putting on a show. And if there was any doubt about how serious the Tigers were, that vanished in about three minutes.
