LSU had a golden opportunity coming into its game against undefeated Texas on Sunday. And no, I’m not talking about Kim Mulkey’s sequined suit. I’m talking about the opportunity to be a gold fish.
I, like most people with a TV, watched Ted Lasso. It had many heartwarming moments and quotes worth remembering, but the one that stuck with me is about the art of forgetting.
Ted is speaking to one of his players, Sam Obisanya, who is struggling to move on from mistakes, when he says the following:
"You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It's a goldfish. It's got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish!”
Coming into the game against No. 2 Texas, No. 12 LSU was in an unfamiliar and unwanted position. For the first time in coach Kim Mulkey’s 40-year coaching career, her team started conference play 0-2. LSU lost 80-78 to No. 6 Kentucky and 65-62 to No. 7 Vanderbilt. At the time, both were upsets.
People had questions (me included).
Was a weak nonconference schedule finally catching up with the Tigers?
Would this guard-heavy team be able to compete in the SEC?
Is this simply a down year for LSU?
Instead of letting the losses and the questions get to them, the Tigers simply got swimming. They forgot about Kentucky and Vanderbilt and the never-ending carousel of media narratives. Instead, they focused on Texas.
The No. 2 Longhorns came into the game undefeated. Handing them their first loss would be a feat for a team that started SEC play 0-2. But it was a feat LSU was ready for. On Sunday, the Tigers exchanged their stripes for glittery fish scales.
Junior guard Mikaylah Williams was sensational, scoring 20 points, including a dagger 3-pointer late in the game. LSU attacked the glass, led by freshman Grace Knox and East Carolina transfer Amiya Joyner, to outrebound Texas 44-35. And most importantly, LSU beat Texas at its own game.
All season the Longhorns have been a team that takes care of the ball. Turnovers are for other teams, the ones trying to bring the ball up against the Longhorns’ suffocating defense. Texas leads the country with just 10.2 turnovers per game. Yet, LSU made the Longhorns look sloppy. They sped up a team that’s usually marked by maturity, leading to uncharacteristic mistakes and 17 total turnovers.
The goldfish secured a 70-65 win.
And luckily for LSU, basketball fans and media also have short memories. Because today, when the AP Poll comes out, LSU will climb back into the top 10. Those two losses will be ancient history. All anyone will be talking about is how the Tigers handed Texas its first loss of the season.
Now, the questions will turn to Texas.
Are the Longhorns not as good as we thought?
How can other teams exploit their weaknesses?
Can Texas bounce back?
The answer to that question will come against South Carolina, a team Texas already beat once this season. But it’s best not to think about that.
Now, it’s time for the Longhorns to turn into goldfish.