LSU Women to Host UNT Dallas in Thursday Exhibition

The Tigers will debut a new small ball lineup against UNT Dallas at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center this week.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player dribbling in motion, using LSU purple and gold team colors. — LSU women's basketball faces UNT Dallas in Thursday's home exhibition, testing a new guard-centric small ball lineup under coach Kim Mulkey. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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LSU women's basketball prepares to face UNT Dallas on Thursday in their first home exhibition game of the season. Head coach Kim Mulkey is implementing a smaller lineup strategy to drive a more fluid offense following recent roster departures.

Why it matters

The team faces depth challenges in the center and forward positions, making the transition to a small ball approach critical for maintaining competitiveness. Integrating new transfers and prospects into the rotation is a primary focus as the program builds toward the upcoming campaign.

Jada Williams joins the roster after averaging 7.7 assists and 15.3 points per game last season, while center Anna Minaeva provides a 6-foot-5 presence in the paint. Grace Knox returns with a 62.1 percent field goal percentage, alongside Mikaylah Williams who averaged 14.2 points per game last year.

The players

Kim Mulkey

She serves as the head coach of the LSU women's basketball team and is known for her successful tenure and championship pedigree in college coaching.

Jada Williams

A transfer from Iowa State, she is expected to act as the primary ballhandler for the Tigers this season.

MiLaysia Fulwiley

She is a key returning scoring leader for LSU who averaged 14.6 points per game during the previous season.

Mikaylah Williams

A standout player for the team, she is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

Anna Minaeva

She is a 6-foot-5 center on the LSU roster who provides necessary height for the team's interior presence.

The details

The coaching staff is relying on new transfer Jada Williams to serve as the main ballhandler to facilitate the offense. Players including MiLaysia Fulwiley and Zakiah Johnson, who averaged 9.7 points per game last season, will play pivotal roles in this faster-paced, guard-centric system.

Thursday: LSU plays its first exhibition game against UNT Dallas.
Last season: Jada Williams led the Big 12 in assists.
2023: Mikaylah Williams won SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

Season Trajectory

This transition to a small ball lineup represents a strategic pivot for the Tigers as they adjust to roster changes and look to maximize the efficiency of their guard-heavy rotation. Successfully integrating these new pieces is essential for the team to maintain its status as a top contender in the SEC.

Fans will see how the new rotation impacts the distribution of minutes and the usage rates of key scorers like MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams. This exhibition serves as the primary gauge for how the team will look defensively without traditional post depth.

The takeaway

The implementation of a smaller lineup suggests an emphasis on speed and ball distribution over traditional interior dominance. Observers should track how the team manages rebounding challenges while relying on their high-scoring guard core.