LSU head coach Kim Mulkey has admitted she is concerned about her team’s depth amid a swathe of injuries.

Mulkey’s fourth season in charge of the Tigers began with a 95-44 win over Eastern Kentucky. However, her ambush is currently struggling for fitness, which is somewhat concerning given it is so early in the college basketball season.

All but two scholarship players are healthy and active. But much of the LSU roster is still managing various knocks and issues sustained throughout an encouraging preseason and practices.

“We have depth, but we don’t have it right now,” Mulkey said. “So, I’m still piecing stuff together. Our depth will definitely help us down the road, but we’ve gotta get them out on that floor every day.”

During the season-opening win on Monday, sophomore stud Mikalayah Williams tallied 18 points and six rebounds. Last month, she suffered a sprained ankle that ruled her out of several practice sessions as well as both of LSU’s exhibition contests.

Mulkey said Williams’ ankle is still “not all the way well.” It’s not the only ankle issue worth keeping an eye on; sophomore center Aalyah Del Rosario underwent an off-season ankle procedure and still needs more game time to improve her conditioning and return to her best.

Meanwhile, Shayeann Day-Wilson started the win over Eastern Kentucky and scored six points, but the point guard injured her hip before LSU’s second preseason game. Fellow transfer Mjracle Sheppard is also out with a stress reaction injury, which is a blow as the guard is expected to feature heavily in rotation.

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Kim Mulkey believes LSU's depth will play a key role in the team's success this season

Kim Mulkey believes LSU’s depth will play a key role in the team’s success this season ( 

Image:

AP)

Sheppard watched the win over Eastern Kentucky from the sideline with a walking boot on her left foot. The sophomore suffered the injury shortly after she tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and six steals in LSU’s first exhibition game. Last-Tear Poa is neither playing nor watching games from the bench.

Ultimately, LSU didn’t need much production from its bench as Flau’jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Williams combined to score 63 points on 26-of-40 shooting. Even so, Mulkey believes the 2024-25 LSU team is deeper than last season’s outfit – but the Tigers desperately need all of their expected contributors healthy and active.

“That’s the No. 1 thing. Of course, winning along the way. But it sure could be a lot easier and a lot more enjoyable, and you could get a feel somewhat of what you have when you have them all healthy. And it’s not season-ending injuries. It’s just little nicks. We gotta get them healthy.”

The 62-year-old added: “I think we’re just gonna get better and better. Just gotta get them all on the same page and in practice every day.” LSU is next in action versus Northwestern State on Saturday, Nov. 9.