LSU women's basketball way-too-early projections for 2023-24 season

DALLAS – Confetti from LSU women's basketball's first NCAA Championship victory Sunday has barely been swept up.

In just Kim Mulkey's second season as head coach, the Tigers (34-2) defied the odds to bring home the national championship, knocking off Iowa in historic fashion, 102-85, inside American Airlines Center.

Now that Mulkey and LSU earned their first title together, far ahead of schedule, what does that do for expectations for the program next season?

Here are our way-too-early projections for LSU women's basketball in 2023-24:

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Kim Mulkey welcomes back key pieces, starting with Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson

Mulkey's team has a solid foundation next year.

Angel Reese grew into a star and became one of the faces for women's college basketball this season. The All-American averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds per game and helped turn LSU in to can't-miss viewing.

But other vital players from the Tigers' national championship team also will return. Flau'jae Johnson scored 11 points, had six rebounds and gained invaluable experience through the NCAA Tournament run as a freshman.

Sa'Myah Smith had critical moments for LSU, and Kateri Poole knocked down big shots in the national title game.

Mikaylah Williams, Aaliyah Del Rosario, Angelica Velez could be Day One starters

Mikaylah Williams, Aaliyah Del Rosario and Angelica Velez are incoming freshman, but that doesn't diminish their talent. The trio of McDonald's All-Americans and nominees help make up the nation's No. 1 recruiting class in 2023 for Mulkey.

Del Rosario fills a big need after LSU lost LaDazhia Williams, and with Alexis Morris expected to be out, a ball-handler will be top priority for the Tigers. Both Mikaylah Williams and Velez are good enough to start early.

LSU women's basketball should be Southeastern Conference favorites in 2023-24

South Carolina will lose all five of its starters from this season's team, headlined by Aliyah Boston, Brea Beal and Zia Cooke.

Because of that turnover and with what Mulkey brings back, LSU should be the preseason favorite in the Southeastern Conference next year.

How far could LSU, Kim Mulkey advance in 2024 NCAA Tournament?

Players talked about it in the locker room after the national championship game Sunday: what's expected of the program moving forward has shifted.

Where is that bar now? It's the Final Four.

LSU's performance in Season Two under Mulkey re-established the standard that the players want to reach.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball way-too-early projections for 2023-24 season