The Schedule for the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament: LSU’s Road to a Championship

The 2025 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Women’s Basketball Tournament is set to take place from March 5 to March 9, 2025, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. This annual event brings together the top women’s basketball teams from the SEC, all vying for the coveted conference championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Tournament Schedule and Structure

The tournament features all 16 SEC teams, seeded based on their regular-season conference records. The top four seeds receive double byes into the quarterfinals, while seeds 5 through 8 receive single byes into the second round. Teams seeded 9 through 16 begin play in the first round.

First Round – Wednesday, March 5

• Game 1: No. 9 Tennessee vs. No. 16 Texas A&M at 11:00 AM ET on SEC Network
• Game 2: No. 12 Georgia vs. No. 13 Arkansas at 1:30 PM ET on SEC Network
• Game 3: No. 10 Mississippi State vs. No. 15 Missouri at 6:00 PM ET on SEC Network
• Game 4: No. 11 Florida vs. No. 14 Auburn at 8:30 PM ET on SEC Network

Second Round – Thursday, March 6

• Game 5: No. 8 Vanderbilt vs. Winner of Game 1 at 11:00 AM ET on SEC Network
• Game 6: No. 5 Oklahoma vs. Winner of Game 2 at 1:30 PM ET on SEC Network
• Game 7: No. 7 Ole Miss vs. Winner of Game 3 at 6:00 PM ET on SEC Network
• Game 8: No. 6 Alabama vs. Winner of Game 4 at 8:30 PM ET on SEC Network

Quarterfinals – Friday, March 7

• Game 9: No. 1 South Carolina vs. Winner of Game 5 at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
• Game 10: No. 4 Kentucky vs. Winner of Game 6 at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN
• Game 11: No. 3 LSU vs. Winner of Game 7 at 6:00 PM ET on SEC Network
• Game 12: No. 2 Texas vs. Winner of Game 8 at 8:30 PM ET on SEC Network

Semifinals – Saturday, March 8

• Game 13: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10 at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN2
• Game 14: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2

Championship – Sunday, March 9

• Game 15: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN

All times are Eastern Standard Time (ET).

LSU’s Road to the Championship

The LSU Tigers, under the leadership of head coach Kim Mulkey, enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed, boasting a 12-4 conference record. This seeding grants them a double bye, propelling them directly into the quarterfinals on Friday, March 7, at 6:00 PM ET. They will face the winner of Game 7, which pits No. 7 Ole Miss against the victor of the first-round matchup between No. 10 Mississippi State and No. 15 Missouri.

Key Players and Team Dynamics

LSU’s success this season can be attributed to a combination of experienced leadership and emerging talent. However, the team faces a significant challenge with the absence of star guard Flau’Jae Johnson, who is sidelined due to shin inflammation. Johnson, the team’s leading scorer, has been instrumental in LSU’s offensive strategies, and her absence will undoubtedly impact the team’s dynamics. Coach Mulkey has expressed caution regarding Johnson’s condition, emphasizing the importance of her health for the NCAA Tournament.

In Johnson’s absence, sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams has stepped up, delivering impressive performances and showcasing her ability to lead the team under pressure. Williams’ resilience was evident in LSU’s recent comeback victory against Kentucky, where she scored 24 points, including 15 in the second half, overturning a 16-point halftime deficit.

Potential Challenges

LSU’s path to the championship is fraught with formidable opponents. A potential semifinal matchup looms against the No. 2 seed, Texas Longhorns, who share a 15-1 conference record with South Carolina but took the second seed based on a coin toss. Texas boasts Madison Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, whose offensive prowess has been pivotal in their successful season.

The top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks, aiming for their third consecutive SEC title, present another significant hurdle. Led by sophomore sensation MiLaysia Fulwiley, known for her dynamic playmaking abilities, South Carolina has been a dominant force throughout the season.

Tournament Outlook

The 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament promises intense competition, with several teams capable of clinching the title. For LSU, overcoming the absence of Flau’Jae Johnson will require strategic adjustments and elevated performances from key players like Mikaylah Williams. The Tigers’ resilience and adaptability will be crucial as they navigate a challenging bracket in pursuit of the championship.

Fans can anticipate a thrilling display of collegiate basketball, with each game contributing to the rich tapestry of SEC women’s basketball history.