Get your popcorn ready, because the No. 4 LSU women’s basketball team is about to light up the Pete Maravich Assembly Center this Sunday. On top of that, head coach Kim Mulkey is giving fans a reason to show up in full force. Forget the Super Bowl for a moment, she says—this game is where all the action will be.

“I challenge the fans,” Mulkey boldly declared after LSU’s 71-60 win over Missouri. “If you’re going to the Super Bowl, give your tickets to someone else. We need you here for this one.” And honestly, how can you argue with her? LSU’s showdown with No. 17 Tennessee isn’t just another game.

The upcoming showdown is a rematch of a nail-biter, and the stakes are even higher this time. The first time these two teams met in Knoxville, it was a battle to remember. LSU had the edge over the Lady Vols 89-87, with Kailyn Gilbert delivering the game-winning layup in the final second.

But this time, it will be even more engaging. Sunday’s game promises to have even more intensity. Tennessee, with their 17-5 overall record and 4-5 SEC record, is riding high after their win over No. 5 UConn. And Mulkey knows that’s going to give the Lady Vols an extra boost.

“I would imagine beating UConn—that’s good for the SEC, I love that,” Mulkey said. “But I would think they’re coming in sky-high.”

Mulkey knows already that the energy around Tennessee’s victory is going to make the upcoming rematch even more dangerous. But she’s all set and has no intentions of backing down.

Kim Mulkey’s strategy is all set to challenge Tennessee’s high-pressure style in a rematch

The Tigers have been a different team since their first meeting with Tennessee. Since then, their defense has tightened up. In their past seven games, they’ve been holding opponents to a stifling 38% shooting. Impressive, right? Not only that, they’ve come off a recent road win against No. 2 South Carolina.

But the solid defensive foundation has been built by LSU’s two stars, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. While Williams is lighting it up from beyond the arc, making 14 of her last 24 three-point attempts, she’s racked up 75 points over the past three games.

Meanwhile, Johnson is right behind her. She’s 9 for 16 from three in the last three games, consistently burying at least 50% of her attempts. But it isn’t just about the stars. Even Mjracle Sheppard, a sophomore, stepped up big against Missouri with 11 points, seven rebounds, and strong defense on Mizzou’s Grace Slaughter.

No doubt her defensive presence could be a game-changer against Tennessee’s aggressive style. But it won’t be as easy as it may seem. Coach Kim Caldwell runs a high-octane system that forces opponents to play at breakneck speed. So, will Mulkey be able to back up her words with a performance?