No. 1 LSU women's basketball suffers surprising loss in opener

LSU Lady Tigers forward Angel Reese (10) dribbles against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 LSU women's basketball suffers surprising loss in season opener

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/7/23

No, that wasn't a mirage in Las Vegas. Associated Press No. 1 LSU really got blown out in its season opener against No. 20 Colorado, 92-78.

NO. 1 LSU UPSET BY NO. 20 COLORADO IN THE SEASON OPENER pic.twitter.com/dIs9WUZTk3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 7, 2023

The stunning result came following the Tigers' 2023 NCAA Women's Tournament championship and an offseason when the team added transfers Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow to a roster that included the 2023 tournament Most Outstanding Player Angel Reese.

The loss was the first by a defending women's basketball champion since 1995-96 UConn. Per ESPN Stats & Info, LSU is only the fourth defending champion to lose its season opener in women's basketball history.

LSU becomes the first defending Division I @MarchMadnessWBB champion to lose in its season opener since UConn in 1995-96.

Huge win for @CUBuffsWBB‼️ pic.twitter.com/TDGd6MOEzv
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) November 7, 2023

LSU is the fourth reigning champion in women's D-I history to lose its season opener and the first since UConn in 1995-96. pic.twitter.com/ttDRi8puV2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 7, 2023

Interestingly, LSU is also the last college football program to lose in its season opener following a national title, losing at home to Mississippi State, 44-34, in 2020 following its incredible 15-0 national championship season.

While there weren't many positives for the Tigers in their opener, it might cause head coach Kim Mulkey to burn her outfit for the game, which would be the biggest win of the night.