Kim Mulkey Says NC State is Supposed to Beat LSU

Maybe it’s just gamesmanship, but LSU head coach Kim Mulkey wants to ensure the higher-seeded NC State Wolfpack feels the pressure before tonight’s matchup.

These two teams met last November in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Tournament championship game in the Bahamas. LSU defeated NC State 82-65.

Ahead of tonight’s game, Kim Mulkey was asked how each team has improved since meeting four months ago. “Well, I wouldn't say the style of play is any different. We're not going to create new players. I think both teams are obviously better, and we just have a lot of respect. We don't look at the previous game. We just think that we're both trying to advance to an Elite Eight, and we don't really even think about that game,” said Mulkey.

“We talked about it once or twice. We've looked at some film. But they're better, we're better, they're ACC champs, we finished third in the SEC, they're supposed to win, they're the 2 seed, we're the 3 seed.”

Mulkey was also asked how a tough SEC setup up for a NCAA Tournament run. “I just think the SEC is unbelievably tough. We still have, if I'm correct, six teams left, and to me, that speaks volumes. We have a league that has different styles of play. We have a league that has unbelievable talent, individual talent. I think all of us, not just in the SEC, but across the country and other leagues, we're all kind of relieved when you get a chance to go to the playoffs and you don't have to see each other again.”

LSU and NC State will tip-off at 6:30 p.m. CT from Spokane.