Kim Mulkey remains one of the most polarizing figures in women's March Madness history. And she's also one of the most successful.
The LSU head coach has appeared in the NCAA tournament for more than three decades as either a player or coach, missing only two years since the women's event took flight in 1981. Her flashy style and big personality have made her impossible to ignore on college basketball's biggest stage.
Mulkey stands alone as the only person to win a national championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach. She's also the only coach in women's basketball to win titles at two different programs — Baylor in 2005, 2012, and 2019, and LSU in 2023.
Only UConn's Geno Auriemma and the late Pat Summitt of Tennessee have won more NCAA championships than Mulkey.
From Louisiana Tech to Baylor: Building a Championship Dynasty
Mulkey won an AIAW title as a point guard at Louisiana Tech in 1981, before capturing the inaugural NCAA tournament championship in 1982. The five-foot-four firebrand then earned Olympic gold with the 1984 US team before transitioning to coaching.
She took over Baylor's program in 2000 and immediately turned the Lady Bears into contenders, building a strong recruiting class while leading the program to its first championship in 2005.
Later, the 2011/12 Baylor team completed the program's only undefeated season with star center Brittney Griner anchoring the roster. That squad went wire-to-wire at No. 1 and captured the national title — the most successful team in Mulkey's career.
Mulkey's 2018/19 lineup earned the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed behind future WNBA stars NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo, going on to deliver Mulkey's third championship at Baylor.
Off-Court Controversies Color March Madness Success
However, Mulkey's championship pedigree does come with some baggage. She's faced criticism for fraught relationships with former players and made controversial statements over the years.
Brittney Griner told ESPN in 2013 that Mulkey advised students to remain quiet about their sexual orientation, saying she wouldn't have approved if Griner had come out as gay during her time at Baylor. Mulkey later declined to publicly voice support Griner when the WNBA star was detained in Russia in 2022.
Mulkey also defended Baylor during a university-wide sexual assault scandal in 2017, before making derisive comments about COVID-19 precautions in 2021.
A New NCAA ERA Forces Mulkey to Modernize
In 2021, Mulkey made the surprising leap from Baylor to LSU — just as NIL deals were transforming college athletics. And she's proven more adaptable than expected within the new NCAA landscape.
LSU became a titan of NIL opportunities under Mulkey. The program remains aggressive in the transfer portal, while offering players more compensation and high-profile competition.
Mulkey has embraced Baton Rouge's culture, leaning into the school's vibrant colors and raucous crowds. But building another juggernaut has taken time in the much tougher SEC conference, where top coaches like South Carolina's Dawn Staley and Texas's Vic Schaefer are more than prepared to challenge Mulkey's March Madness dominance.
Fast-Tracking LSU's 2023 Championship Win
In 2023, Mulkey led LSU to its first national title in just her second season, despite the Tigers not being college basketball's best team all year. That distinction belonged to South Carolina — one team Mulkey's LSU has never beaten.
High-profile transfer Angel Reese and top recruit Flau'jae Johnson powered the Tigers to an unexpected March Madness run. LSU subsequently defeated Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes in the championship game, launching Reese into superstar status and padding Mulkey's already stacked resume.
With that, the 2023 NCAA final became arguably the most influential single game in women's college basketball history.
Navigating Shifting Roles as 2026 March Madness Tips Off
While LSU's 2026 roster still features players from that 2023 championship team, Mulkey's role has shifted from conference protagonist to dark horse contender.
Mulkey doesn't schedule aggressively in nonconference play, opting for matchups against teams like Houston Christian, Marist, and Alcorn State. LSU ranks second in NCAA history this year for games scoring over 100 points, giving the transfer-heavy roster some extra cushion to gel.
The Tigers' four regular-season losses came against top-ranked SEC programs Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Texas, and South Carolina. Mulkey acknowledged the stiff competition during the 2026 SEC tournament.
"How long has Dawn been at South Carolina? 18 years? I was at Baylor for 21 years," she said. "It takes time to lay a foundation. I've been at LSU five years. We've won a national championship. We're so close."
With Johnson wrapping up her college career this April, Mulkey is expected hit the transfer portal hard to recruit the best available talent for next season.
LSU remains an unfinished product. But if one thing is true, it's that the Tigers will always deliver a show when they take the court.
And, of course, you can never count out a Kim Mulkey team once March Madness arrives.
A major winter storm moving from New Mexico to New England has caused significant changes to the women’s college basketball calendar this weekend, with several teams adjusting their schedules ahead of predicted snow and ice.
Top-ranked UConn moved its game against Seton Hall from Sunday to Saturday afternoon. No. 14 Baylor postponed its matchup against Houston until Tuesday. Other programs, including No. 20 Princeton, Cincinnati, and Rice, moved their Saturday start times earlier to avoid deteriorating road conditions.
Elsewhere, North Carolina Central postponed two scheduled women's games in Durham, while the Sun Belt Conference proactively rescheduled its entire women's basketball slate from Thursday through Saturday. Similar adjustments occurred in the Big South, where the USC Upstate at Longwood game was moved from Saturday to Friday.
And the storm isn't just impacting college basketball. In the SEC, the top 15 swimming and diving dual meet between No. 9 Tennessee and No. 14 Georgia moved from Saturday to Friday, while No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 5 Georgia pushed up Friday's gymnastics meet from 6 PM ET to 2:45 PM ET.
Athletic departments across the country continue to monitor weather updates for further potential disruptions caused by the winter storm.
How to watch women's college basketball games impacted by the winter storm
Eastern Kentucky vs. North Florida has moved to 11 AM ET on Saturday, live on ESPN+.
No. 1 UConn vs. Seton Hall has moved from Sunday to 12 PM ET on Saturday, live on NBC Sports.
No. 20 Princeton vs. Brown has moved to 12 PM ET on Saturday, live on ESPN+.
Cincinnati vs. Arizona State has moved to 2 PM ET to 12 PM ET on Saturday, live on ESPN+.
Jacksonville State vs. UTEP has moved to 1 PM ET on Saturday, live on ESPN+.
No. 21 Duke vs. Pitt has moved from Sunday to Saturday at 4 PM ET, live on ACC Network.
Boston College vs. No. 8 Louisville has moved from 2 PM ET to 11 AM ET on Sunday, live on ACC Network.
Houston vs. No 14 Baylor has moved from Sunday to 7 PM ET on Tuesday, live on ESPN+.
In the first AP women's basketball poll in two weeks, Monday's new rankings reflected last week's conference upsets, sending four Top 10 teams skidding down the table while other contenders broke through.
Now-No. 12 LSU suffered the biggest drop, falling seven spots after consecutive losses to No. 6 Kentucky and No. 7 Vanderbilt.
The Wildcats and the still-undefeated Commodores experienced the opposite effect, jumping five spots each after their ranked victories, with No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 10 Louisville making similar three-spot advances.
The biggest winner of this week's AP poll, however, sits just outside the Top 10, as No. 15 Michigan State leapt nine spots, defeating unranked Indiana, Illinois, and Rutgers after closing out nonconference play with a 66-49 upset win over now-No. 18 Ole Miss.
Chasing the Spartans' rise up the ranks are No. 16 Baylor, who earned a six-spot jump after handing No. 11 Iowa State their first loss of the season on Sunday, and No. 17 Texas Tech, whose unbeaten status saw the Red Raiders claim a four-spot boost.
Meanwhile, a struggling Notre Dame dropped out of the Top 25 entirely after losses to unranked Georgia Tech and Duke, snapping an 85-week AP Poll appearance streak — the third-longest in women's basketball history.
Additionally, the Top 4 remained unchanged after perfect results from No. 1 UConn, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 South Carolina, and No. 4 UCLA — who dominated their crosstown rival No. 21 USC 80-46 on Saturday.
How to watch Top 25 NCAA basketball this week
Top 25 teams will continue their conference slates this week, starting with USC taking on unranked Oregon on Tuesday.
The Trojans and visiting Ducks will tip off live at 10 PM ET on Fox Sports.
2025/26 AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll: Week 9
1. UConn (15-0, Big East)
2. Texas (17-0, SEC)
3. South Carolina (15-1, SEC)
4. UCLA (14-1, Big Ten)
5. Oklahoma (14-1, SEC)
6. Kentucky (15-1, SEC)
7. Vanderbilt (15-0, SEC)
8. Maryland (15-1, Big Ten)
9. Michigan (12-2, Big Ten)
10. Louisville (14-3, ACC)
11. Iowa State (14-1, Big 12)
12. LSU (14-2, SEC)
13. TCU (14-1, Big 12)
14. Iowa (13-2, Big Ten)
15. Michigan State (14-1, Big Ten)
16. Baylor (13-3, Big 12)
17. Texas Tech (16-0, Big 12)
18. Ole Miss (14-3, SEC)
19. Ohio State (13-2, Big Ten)
20. Tennessee (10-3, SEC)
21. USC (10-4, Big Ten)
22. UNC (13-4, ACC)
23. Washington (12-2, Big Ten)
24. Princeton (13-1, Ivy)
25. Nebraska (13-2, Big Ten)
Monday's AP Top 25 Poll featured few dramatics, as the Week 8 tally reflected another consistent slate from the 2025/26 NCAA basketball elite with only one shift in the Top 10 and marginal movement at the bottom.
Undefeated TCU keeps making gains, rising one spot to tie Oklahoma at No. 8 after taking down Big 12 foe Kansas State 77-55 behind senior guard Olivia Miles's 29-point performance on Saturday.
On the other hand, a 90-64 loss to No. 1 UConn on Saturday saw Iowa skid three spots, with the now-No. 14 Hawkeyes falling to a 1-2 record against ranked opponents this season.
Outside the relatively stationary Top 10, some blue chip programs are threatening to exit the AP Poll entirely after dropping ranked games last weekend.
Baylor experienced the greatest slide, dropping seven spots to No. 22 after falling 61-60 to Big 12 rival and rankings newcomer No. 21 Texas Tech on Sunday — the Bears' third loss in their season's four ranked games so far.
Tennessee saw a similar dip, plummeting six spots to No. 23 after losing to a surging No. 13 Louisville 89-65 on Saturday.
How to watch Top 25 NCAA basketball this week
The ranked action returns on Sunday, as No. 4 UCLA visits No. 19 Ohio State at 2 PM ET, live on the Big Ten Network.
2025/26 AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll: Week 8
1. UConn (12-0, Big East)
2. Texas (14-0, SEC)
3. South Carolina (12-1, SEC)
4. UCLA (11-1, Big Ten)
5. LSU (13-0, SEC)
6. Michigan (10-1, Big Ten)
7. Maryland (13-0, Big Ten)
T8. TCU (13-0, Big 12)
T8. Oklahoma (12-1, SEC)
10. Iowa State (13-0, Big 12)
11. Kentucky (12-1, SEC)
12. Vanderbilt (12-0, SEC)
13. Louisville (12-3, ACC)
14. Iowa (10-2, Big Ten)
15. Ole Miss (12-2, SEC)
16. UNC (11-3, ACC)
17. USC (9-3, Big Ten)
18. Notre Dame (9-2, ACC)
19. Ohio State (11-1, Big Ten)
20. Nebraska (12-0, Big Ten)
21. Texas Tech (14-0, Big 12)
22. Baylor (11-3, Big 12)
23. Tennessee (8-3, SEC)
24. Michigan State (11-1, Big Ten)
25. Princeton (12-1, Ivy)
While the AP Top 10 stayed mostly intact this week, a few programs — including the Oklahoma Sooners — are making a case for themselves as the 2025/26 NCAA women's basketball season's nonconference schedule hits its peak.
The Sooners were the only Top 10 riser in Monday's AP Poll, jumping one spot to No. 8 after taking down rivals Oklahoma State 92-70 on Saturday — a game that sent the Cowgirls out of the rankings entirely.
Bouncing back from an early season loss to No. 4 UCLA, Oklahoma's strengthening record dislodged undefeated TCU, with the Horned Frogs falling to No. 9 despite a perfect week against unranked competition.
Meanwhile, No. 1 UConn retained their crown after Saturday's top-ranked win over now-No. 19 USC, while No. 2 Texas continues to shine after humbling in-state rivals No. 15 Baylor on Sunday.
The Longhorns received eight first-place votes this week, a tick down from the last round after notching two Top 5 wins in late November.
Despite some ranked blowouts, the ACC saw the greatest movement, as No. 16 Louisville rocketed up six spots after upsetting then-No. 12 North Carolina — sending the Tar Heels skidding the same distance down to No. 18.
The SEC also saw gains, as No. 12 Kentucky and No. 14 Ole Miss both rose three spots as they creep toward the Top 10 with one loss apiece.
2025/26 AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll: Week 7
1. UConn (10-0, Big East)
2. Texas (12-0, SEC)
3. South Carolina (10-1, SEC)
4. UCLA (9-1, Big Ten)
5. LSU (11-0, SEC)
6. Michigan (9-1, Big Ten)
7. Maryland (12-0, Big Ten)
8. Oklahoma (11-1, SEC)
9. TCU (11-0, Big 12)
10. Iowa State (12-0, Big 12)
11. Iowa (10-1, Big Ten)
12. Kentucky (11-1, SEC)
13. Vanderbilt (10-0, SEC)
14. Ole Miss (10-1, SEC)
15. Baylor (10-2, Big 12)
16. Louisville (10-3, ACC)
17. Tennessee (7-2, SEC)
18. UNC (9-3, ACC)
19. USC (7-3, Big Ten)
20. Notre Dame (8-2, ACC)
21. Ohio State (9-1, Big Ten)
22. Washington (9-1, Big Ten)
23. Nebraska (11-0, Big Ten)
24. Michigan State (9-1, Big Ten)
25. Princeton (10-1, Ivy)
A full 19 months removed from their back-to-back Final Four runs, No. 11 Iowa basketball refuses to go away, with the Hawkeyes already notching one Top-25 win in the young 2025/26 NCAA campaign so far.
The still-unbeaten Hawkeyes took down No. 15 Baylor 57-52 last Thursday, with Iowa starting post players Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden combining for 28 points while guard Taylor Stremlow added another 12 off the bench in the marquee win.
"We have nice pieces," said Iowa head coach Jan Jensen this week. "But it's knowing when to play which pieces and with whom, and we're six games in."
The Hawkeyes have been finding their new identity under Jensen after a transformative period saw Iowa's longtime head coach Lisa Bluder retire while superstar guard Caitlin Clark joined the WNBA.
"Jan's been amazing," Stuelke told JWS at the Big Ten Media Day in October. "She stepped up like she needed to, and she's been growing every day since she's been the head coach, which it's really cool to see she cares. And it's a great environment for all of us."
"I have a year under my belt," Jensen echoed. "I know what this chair feels like now, and I have a little better of understanding of what that first road trip feels like, what that first big win feels like, or the tough loss feels like."
Iowa's season heats up with a ranked rivalry matchup against No. 10 Iowa State on Wednesday, December 10th.
The state rivals will tip off at 7 PM ET, with live coverage airing on ESPN.
The 2025/26 NCAA basketball season is experiencing a slew of early shakeups, as Monday's Week 3 AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll saw numerous teams gain — and lose — significant ground.
While the reigning champion No. 1 UConn Huskies retained their spot at the top, No. 2 South Carolina earned three first-place votes after the Gamecocks claimed "The Real SC" title against then-No. 8 USC on Saturday — a clash that sent the Trojans sliding three spots to No. 11.
As the poll's biggest riser, No. 6 Michigan launched into the Top 10 this week, climbing eight spots after Saturday's statement win over now-No. 24 Notre Dame.
Preseason No. 7 Duke saw the biggest skid, falling out of the Top 25 altogether after Friday's upset loss to No. 23 West Virginia.
Jumping from No. 17 to 10, TCU emerged as the week's second biggest winner thanks to a ranked win over now-No. 16 NC State on Sunday.
TCU newcomer Olivia Miles registered a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double in the victory, with the star guard's performance complemented by a game-leading 26 points from fellow graduate transfer forward Marta Suarez.
"This is absolutely, 100%, 10-toes-down where I should be," Miles said earlier this season. "I have so much support around me to get me better and get more reps in. And that's just the energy at TCU."
How to watch Top 25 NCAA basketball this week
While Top 25 NCAA basketball teams are in action throughout the week, the ranked matchups will continue when No. 7 Baylor visits No. 19 Iowa at 9 PM ET on Thursday, airing live on ESPN2.
Friday will then serve up a ranked doubleheader, as No. 11 USC takes on No. 24 Notre Dame at 6 PM ET on ESPN before No. 1 UConn hosts No. 6 Michigan at 8 PM ET on Fox.
2025/26 AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll: Week 3
1. UConn (4-0, Big East)
2. South Carolina (4-0, SEC)
3. UCLA (5-0, Big Ten)
4. Texas (4-0, SEC)
5. LSU (5-0, SEC)
6. Michigan (3-0, Big Ten)
7. Baylor (4-0, Big 12)
8. Oklahoma (4-1, SEC)
9. Maryland (5-0, Big Ten)
10. TCU (4-0, Big 12)
11. USC (2-1, Big Ten)
12. Iowa State (5-0, Big 12)
13. Ole Miss (3-0, SEC)
14. UNC (3-1, ACC)
15. Tennessee (3-1, SEC)
16. NC State (2-2, ACC)
17. Vanderbilt (3-0, SEC)
18. Oklahoma State (5-0, Big 12)
19. Iowa (4-0, Big Ten)
20. Kentucky (5-0, SEC)
21. Louisville (3-1, ACC)
22. Michigan State (4-0, Big Ten)
23. West Virginia (4-0, Big 12)
24. Notre Dame (3-1, ACC)
25. Washington (3-0, Big Ten)
NCAA basketball is officially back in action, and the reigning champion No. 1 UConn Huskies will tip off their 2025/26 season against the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals in the recently relocated Armed Forces Classic on Tuesday afternoon.
The clash will make history as the first-ever women's edition of college basketball's military-site showdown, as UConn opens their season against a ranked opponent for the first time since 2017.
"It's going to be a lot of learning with five new players," Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma said earlier this week. "There's a lot of exciting things that are ahead of us… and I want to help them overcome some of those challenges we're going to have."
Despite losing 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers to the WNBA last April, the Huskies enter the season with a healthy roster and more depth than recent years, centering the team around returning starters like top-ranked sophomore forward Sarah Strong and grad student guard Azzi Fudd.
"I have to learn how to sub again," Auriemma joked about having a complete bench to draw from. "We've had three or four years in a row there where there's nobody to sub."
Staying atop the NCAA rankings won't be easy, however — a lesson the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils learned after suffering the 2025/26 NCAA season's first top-ranked upset to the No. 16 Baylor Bears on Monday.
"I think you can learn a lot from the first game of the season, especially when you're playing a good team, because they expose a lot of things about you on both ends," said Duke head coach Kara Lawson about the 58-52 loss.
How to watch UConn vs. Louisville in the Armed Forces Classic
The No. 1 UConn Huskies will tip off the 2025/26 NCAA basketball season by taking on the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals at the US Naval Academy at 5:30 PM ET on Tuesday.
The clash will air live on ESPN.