Amanda Knapp
LSU Tigers men's basketball team has never won a national championship. The closest they have come to winning a national championship was in 1986 when they made it to the Final Four. The LSU women's basketball team, however, has won a national championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| LSU Men's Basketball National Championship Wins | 0 |
| LSU Women's Basketball National Championship Wins | 1 |
| Year of Women's Basketball National Championship Win | 2023 |
| Coach of Winning Team | Kim Mulkey |
| Score in Championship Game | LSU: 102, Iowa: 85 |
| LSU's Previous Best in NCAA Tournament | Final Four in 1986, 2006 |
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What You'll Learn
LSU Tigers' 2023 first national championship in women's basketball
The LSU Tigers women's basketball team won their first-ever national championship in 2023, beating Iowa 102-85. This was the first basketball title in the school's history and the 50th national championship for LSU Athletics in its 130-year history.
The victory was a historic one for LSU, as well as for their head coach, Kim Mulkey. Mulkey became the first women's basketball coach to win national championships at two different schools, having previously won three titles at Baylor. With the LSU victory, she earned her fourth championship in as many title-game appearances, the third-most titles of any women's basketball coach.
The LSU Tigers' road to the championship game was not an easy one. On their way to the Final Four, they defeated No. 14 Hawai'i and No. 6 Michigan at the Maravich Center. They then knocked out No. 2-seeded Utah and No. 9-seeded Miami to advance to Dallas. In the Final Four, they faced Virginia Tech, winning 79-72 to advance to the national championship game.
The championship game against Iowa was a high-scoring affair, with LSU's offense proving too much for their opponents. LSU's Jasmine Carson, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scored 22 points, while Alexis Morris added 21 and Angel Reese contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds. The victory was sealed with a final score of 102-85, setting a new record for the most points scored in a women's championship game.
The LSU Tigers' historic victory in 2023 marked the first time an LSU men's or women's basketball team had ever played for, and won, a championship. The achievement was a significant milestone for the school and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, led by the formidable Kim Mulkey.
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LSU's NCAA Final Four appearances
LSU has made it to the NCAA Final Four four times: in 1953, 1981, 1986, and 2006.
In 1953, LSU, led by junior Bob Pettit, advanced to the Final Four in Kansas City, defeating Lebanon Valley (89-76) and Holy Cross (81-73). They lost to Indiana, 80-67, in the national semifinals.
In 1981, small forward Rudy Macklin led LSU to the Final Four. In 1986, LSU returned to the Final Four, upsetting the No. 1 team in the tournament and the country, Duke, but once again lost to Indiana in the national semifinals, this time by a score of 69-47.
In 2006, LSU won their first outright SEC regular-season championship since 1985 and earned a #4 seed in the NCAA tournament. After wins over Iona and Texas A&M, LSU defeated the #1 seed Duke and #2 seed Texas to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1986.
While LSU has made impressive runs to the Final Four, they have not won a national championship in men's basketball. However, in 2023, the LSU Tigers women's basketball team won the school's first national championship in basketball, defeating Iowa 102-85 in the final.
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LSU's 1986 Final Four run
In the regional rounds, LSU beat Arkansas 72-56 and Wichita State 96-85, advancing to the Final Four. However, they faced a tough opponent in the national semifinals, losing to Louisville 88-77. The team's unexpected run ended a game short of the national finals, but it remains a memorable and impressive achievement.
The 1986 team was special, as they demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity and surpass expectations. They were led by players such as Ricky Blanton, who stepped up to play centre, and Don Redden, who led the team in scoring. The team's success was built on their youth, acceptance of challenges, and belief in their abilities.
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LSU's 2006 Final Four run
LSU's 2005-06 season culminated in a Final Four appearance, marking the team's first return to this stage since 1986.
Head coach John Brady recruited Louisiana's best talent, including seven players from the state. The team was led by Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Darrel Mitchell, Tyrus Thomas, and Garrett Temple.
LSU beat Iona in the first round, and then Texas A&M 58-57, with a three-pointer from Mitchell with under five seconds left on the clock. They then knocked out the tournament's top seed and the nation's No.1-ranked team, Duke, before beating Texas 72-67 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1987.
Garrett Temple later reflected on the win over Texas: "Everything was just working for us then... You don’t want to say it was a moral victory, but us going up there playing that well on national TV understanding that we can play with these guys, it was huge."
Darnell Lazare added: "As a kid, you see March Madness on TV... When that buzzer goes off against Texas, and you’re advancing to the Final Four, and you’re getting a taste of what it’s like, it’s surreal. Everybody’s celebrating.”
However, LSU's run came to an end in the national semifinals, with a loss to UCLA.
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LSU's 1981 Final Four team
The Tigers' road to the Final Four began in the regional rounds, where they beat Arkansas 72-56 and Wichita State 96-85. However, Macklin was injured during the Wichita game, which affected his performance in the next round. In the national semifinals, the Tigers lost to Indiana 69-47, unable to maintain their momentum.
The 1981 team was characterized by its strong chemistry and work ethic. They had a tight-knit bond off the court, which translated to success on the court. This team also built on previous accomplishments, having won the regular-season conference championships in 1979 and 1981, as well as the SEC Tournament championship in 1980.
Willie Sims, affectionately known as the "Super Sub," was a key member of the 1981 team. He came off the bench, bringing energy and spirit to the team. Sims played in 120 games over four years, with a career scoring average of 7.6 points per game. He averaged 9.2 points in 1980 and 8.5 points in the 1981 season, shooting over 50% from the field in both seasons.
The 1981 LSU Tigers left a lasting legacy, and their impact was commemorated in 2011 when the team was introduced once more on the Pete Maravich Assembly Center court.
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Frequently asked questions
No, LSU men's basketball has never won a national championship. However, the team has made it to the Final Four several times, including in 1986, 2006, and 2022.
The LSU men's basketball team has made it to the Final Four several times but has never advanced past the national semifinal round.
Yes, the LSU women's basketball team won its first national championship in 2023.
Kim Mulkey was the coach of the LSU women's basketball team when they won the national championship in 2023. This was her fourth national championship as a coach, having won three at Baylor before moving to LSU.
