BATON ROUGE – The 2026-27 season hasn’t started yet but the hits are already coming for Kim Mulkey and the LSU women’s basketball team.
Senior forward and newcomer Noa Morro has suffered a foot injury and will miss some time at the beginning of the season. Mulkey did no specify how long exactly she will be out but the coach theorized it could be by the end of November.
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“Noa had a rod put in her shin at the beginning of September,” Mulkey told reporters Sept. 21 before her team’s first practice of the season. “So we won’t have her. She has a stress fracture in that shin bone. I think Angel Reese had that in her career here as well. So she’ll be on the sideline.”
Mulkey said Morro came to LSU with the injury and must have been playing on it in Spain’s national league before arriving in Baton Rouge this summer.
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kim Mulkey of the Louisiana State Tigers speaks with head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils prior to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kim Mulkey of the Louisiana State Tigers speaks with head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils prior to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kim Mulkey of the LSU Tigers looks on prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kim Mulkey of the LSU Tigers looks on prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Kim Mulkey hires Miami assistant Fitzroy Anthony to LSU women’s basketball staff
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey against the Duke Blue Devils at the Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Ashlon Jackson (3) shoots against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Ashlon Jackson (3) shoots against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Riley Nelson (4) dribbles against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Toby Fournier (35) rebounds against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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Is Kim Mulkey the highest-paid women’s basketball coach? See where she ranks
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey against the Duke Blue Devils at the Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson (4) walks up the court against the Duke Blue Devils during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Riley Nelson (4) drives against the Louisiana State Tigers during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson (4) rebounds against the Duke Blue Devils during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
(Ed Szczepanski, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Milaysia Fulwiley #23 of the Louisiana State Tigers drives to the basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Milaysia Fulwiley #23 of the Louisiana State Tigers shoots a free throw against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Milaysia Fulwiley #23 of the Louisiana State Tigers shoots a free throw against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Taina Mair #22 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Toby Fournier #35 of the Duke Blue Devils makes a move on Flau’jae Johnson #4 and Grace Knox #2 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Toby Fournier #35 of the Duke Blue Devils makes a move on Flau’jae Johnson #4 and Grace Knox #2 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Zakiyah Johnson #11 of the Louisiana State Tigers takes a shot against Arianna Roberson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Taina Mair #22 of the Duke Blue Devils takes a shot over Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Taina Mair #22 of the Duke Blue Devils takes a shot over Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Flau’jae Johnson #4 of the Louisiana State Tigers takes a shot over Ashlon Jackson #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Taina Mair #22 of the Duke Blue Devils brings the ball up the court against Flau’jae Johnson #4 and Milaysia Fulwiley #23 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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LSU women’s basketball vs Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Photos
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Zakiyah Johnson #11 of the Louisiana State Tigers makes a move on Arianna Roberson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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How offensive rebounds doomed LSU women’s basketball in Sweet 16 loss to Duke
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Arianna Roberson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils and Kate Koval #13 of the Louisiana State Tigers battle for a rebound during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
“She came here with it and you try to let it heal on its own.,” Mulkey said. “For whatever reason, it doesn’t heal in the foot or something. She’s frustrated because she wants to be out there right now. She was not expecting this. She obviously must’ve played through some tremendous pain because she played all summer for her team back home.”
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Depth inside for the Tigers took its first hit over the offseason when experienced junior forward Kate Koval, a native of Ukraine, decided to leave the team for personal reasons after the team added a Russian freshman and 17-year-old Anna Minaeva this summer.
Recently, Koval did get a waiver from the NCAA to allow her to transfer outside of the offseason transfer portal window and signed at Baylor.
LSU is not void of experience in the low block as sophomore Grace Knox is back after getting ample playing time last seasons as a freshman. But the rest of what Mulkey has in the post is question marks with freshman Lola Lampley as well as Meghan Yarnevihc.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
