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 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. For the LSU Tigers, led by head coach Kim Mulkey, the tournament presents an opportunity to showcase their resilience and determination, especially in light of recent challenges.

Tournament Overview

The SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament features all 16 teams from the conference, seeded based on their regular-season records. The top four seeds receive double byes into the quarterfinals, providing them with a strategic advantage as they face opponents who have already played earlier rounds. The tournament’s structure is as follows:

First Round (March 5): Teams seeded 9 through 16 compete.
Second Round (March 6): Winners from the first round face teams seeded 5 through 8.
Quarterfinals (March 7): Top four seeds enter the fray, facing winners from the second round.
Semifinals (March 8): Winners from the quarterfinals compete for a spot in the championship.
Championship (March 9): The two remaining teams battle for the SEC title and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

LSU’s Position and Path

LSU enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed, boasting a 12-4 conference record and an overall record of 27-4. This seeding grants them a double bye, allowing them to begin their tournament journey in the quarterfinals on March 7 at 6 p.m. ET, broadcast on the SEC Network. Their opponent will be determined based on the outcomes of the earlier rounds.

Potential Quarterfinal Matchup

In the quarterfinals, LSU is slated to face the winner of Game 7, which features the No. 7 seed Ole Miss Rebels against the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 10 Mississippi State and No. 15 Missouri. This potential clash with Ole Miss is particularly intriguing, given recent events. On March 2, Ole Miss rallied from a 15-point deficit to stun LSU with an 85-77 victory, showcasing their resilience and determination.

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Key Players and Injuries

LSU’s journey in the tournament will be influenced by the health and performance of its key players. Notably, guard Flau’Jae Johnson, the team’s leading scorer, is sidelined due to shin inflammation. Head coach Kim Mulkey has indicated that Johnson will be held out through the SEC Tournament to ensure her readiness for the NCAA Tournament. This decision underscores the program’s cautious approach to player health and its long-term aspirations.

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In Johnson’s absence, other players will need to step up. Sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams has been a standout performer this season, and her role becomes even more crucial during the tournament. Williams’ ability to lead the offense and provide defensive stability will be vital for LSU’s success.

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Tournament Schedule

For fans and followers, here’s a comprehensive look at the tournament schedule:

All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

First Round – Wednesday, March 5

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

Second Round – Thursday, March 6