5 takeaways from LSU women's basketball's draw in the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket

The NCAA Women's Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday evening and LSU now knows what its path to the Final Four looks like.

The Tigers are a No. 3 seed, set to host San Diego State in the first round.

Also headed to Baton Rouge: No. 6 seed Florida State and No. 11 seed George Mason. If LSU beats San Diego State in round one, the Tigers will face the winner of the No. 6 vs No. 11 game.

Upsets are rare in the women's bracket. The top three seeds are usually considered locks for the Sweet 16. LSU will be a heavy favorite in round one and round two, though Florida State could pose somewhat of a challenge.

It's Kim Mulkey's fourth NCAA Tournament as LSU's head coach. The Tigers have been a No. 3 seed in all four brackets under Mulkey. LSU won a national title in 2023 before falling in the Elite Eight in 2024.

Let's look at what LSU's bracket placement means for the Tigers.

1. LSU will get a styles clash in round one

When LSU meets San Diego State in the first round, the Tigers will see a team with a different identity. Mulkey's squad ranks 10th nationally in possessions per 40 minutes while San Diego State ranks 272nd. San Diego State will try and slow the game down. LSU wants to speed it up.

Usually, the Tigers get their way.

San Diego State is coming off an impressive 23-9 campaign, but the Aztecs lack the firepower to compete with LSU. Mulkey and the Tigers will force SDSU to play a game it's not comfortable with in an intimidating environment.

2. LSU's defense might be tested in round two

If both favorites win in round one, LSU will meet Florida State in the second round.

Florida State's offense is one of the best in the country, averaging 87.2 points per game. Unlike San Diego State, Florida State wants to play fast, ranking No. 6 nationally with 78.4 possessions per 40 minutes. The Noles are fast and efficient, averaging 0.96 points per play.

FSU can challenge an LSU defense that's good, but not perfect.

The good news for LSU: The Tigers might have their way with the Florida State defense. The Seminoles rank 307th in college basketball with 71.2 points allowed per game.

3. There's a chance Kim Mulkey meets Baylor in the Elite Eight

If LSU makes it to the Elite Eight, there's a chance Kim Mulkey meets her former school. Mulkey won three national championships as Baylor's head coach (2005, 2012, 2019). Mulkey took the LSU job in 2021 and has not faced Baylor since leaving.

LSU's path to the Elite Eight is realistic, but Baylor would have to stage an upset to join the Tigers. It would likely require Baylor to beat No. 1 UCLA. That upset is unlikely but UCLA isn't invincible.

According to HerHoops, Baylor's offense and defense both own top 25 ratings. That gives the Bears a chance.

4. Potential rematch with NC State

To reach the Elite Eight, LSU will likely have to go through No. 2 seed NC State. This is a rematch of a game we saw on November 27. LSU won that meeting by double-digits, 82-65.

Despite NC State being the higher seed, LSU would be favored as long as the Tigers are healthy. NC State's defense ranks outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency.

LSU's quadrant of the bracket has one of the weaker No. 2 seeds. An advantage for the Tigers.

5. LSU won't have to go through UConn, South Carolina, or Texas to reach Final Four

According to HerHoops' ratings, the three best teams in the country are UConn, South Carolina, and Texas. LSU can make it to the Final Four without facing that group.

UCLA is the No. 1 seed in LSU's quadrant of the bracket. Per the Sports Reference Ratings, the Bruins rank No. 6 in the country. That sets up well for LSU who ranks No. 8 in the same metric. Not much separates the Tigers and Bruins.

LSU hasn't fared well vs. the best of the best this year. The Tigers lost to South Carolina and dropped both games to Texas. That raises questions about the national championship potential of this team, but LSU can make it to the Final Four without playing the top five rated teams in the sport.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU Women's Basketball March Madness: 5 takeaways from bracket reveal

Topics

LSU women's basketball gets No. 3 seed for NCAA Tournament, will play San Diego State

LSU women's basketball is a No. 3 seed in the March Madness bracket. The Tigers will face SDSU in round one of the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 14h
LSU women's basketball March Madness predictions: Where Tigers could land in NCAA bracket

Where LSU women's basketball's March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s NCAA Tournament seed, draw, opponent and location

The Wisconsin Badgers officially received their 2025 NCAA Tournament seed, opponent, location, and schedule on Sunday.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday

Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket reveal
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Winners (UCLA) and losers (Notre Dame) from the 2025 women's NCAA tournament bracket reveal

Here's who won Selection Sunday and who lost after the 2025 women's tournament bracket reveal.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Three takeaways from MSU hoops' draw in NCAA Tournament

Check out our three takeaways from the Spartans' draw in the NCAA Tournament
Yahoo Sports - 14h
LSU, Kim Mulkey vs San Diego State game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener

What time does LSU women's basketball play San Diego State in March Madness? Here's the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
UVM women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Cats could land in NCAA bracket

Where Vermont women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
FGCU women’s basketball March Madness prediction: Where Eagles could land in NCAA bracket

Where FGCU women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.
Yahoo Sports - 1d

5 takeaways from LSU women's basketball's draw in the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket

1. LSU will get a styles clash in round one

2. LSU's defense might be tested in round two

3. There's a chance Kim Mulkey meets Baylor in the Elite Eight

4. Potential rematch with NC State

5. LSU won't have to go through UConn, South Carolina, or Texas to reach Final Four

Topics

Related

LSU women's basketball gets No. 3 seed for NCAA Tournament, will play San Diego State

LSU women's basketball March Madness predictions: Where Tigers could land in NCAA bracket

Takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s NCAA Tournament seed, draw, opponent and location

Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday

Winners (UCLA) and losers (Notre Dame) from the 2025 women's NCAA tournament bracket reveal

Three takeaways from MSU hoops' draw in NCAA Tournament

LSU, Kim Mulkey vs San Diego State game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener

UVM women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Cats could land in NCAA bracket

FGCU women’s basketball March Madness prediction: Where Eagles could land in NCAA bracket

More from Yahoo Sports

UCF accepts invitation to inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas

NJHoops.com NJ Juco Player of the Week 2024-25 Week 19

College Basketball Crown 2025 field is set: Schedule, bracket, how to watch new tournament

Transfer defensive back Ashaad Williams set to visit Purdue next week

Can't Wait For Saturday A trip to Alabama makes Wisconsin's task more challenging

More in Sports

UCF accepts invitation to inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas

What to watch as inaugural TGL postseason gets underway

NJHoops.com NJ Juco Player of the Week 2024-25 Week 19

How Joe Burrow forced the Bengals to break the bank on new contracts for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

College Basketball Crown 2025 field is set: Schedule, bracket, how to watch new tournament