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Kim Mulkey claps back at reporter over question of 2nd straight Elite Eight loss
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Kim Mulkey and LSU were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, falling in the Elite Eight to No. 1 seed UCLA, 72-65. It’s the 2nd straight year without reaching the Final Four for Mulkey since leading the Tigers to the national title in 2023.
After the game, Mulkey met with the media, but she apparently did not want to talk about the idea of back-to-back seasons without reaching the Final Four. A reporter began by mentioning that fact to Mulkey, something the head coach did not appreciate.
Mulkey interrupted and fired back at the reporter, asking if it’s terrible LSU did not reach the Final Four in those seasons. What transpired was a tense back-and-forth at the press conference before Mulkey allowed the reporter to finish the question.
“This is the second straight year you guys get eliminated in the Elite Eight –” began the reporter.
“Is that terrible or is that good?” pressed Mulkey.
“Terrible.”
Mulkey: “Is it? How many Final Fours you play in?”
“None.”
Mulkey: “So it’s probably pretty good, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Mulkey: “All right.”
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On the one hand, Mulkey is among the most accomplished head coaches in the history of women’s college basketball. Across 25 seasons at Baylor and LSU, Mulkey has been to 5 Final Fours and captured 4 national titles (3 at Baylor).
Still, the question itself began with a simple fact of LSU’s season, and it was Mulkey who first used and interjected the word “terrible” into the conversation. The head coach has elevated expectations for LSU basketball, so it’s a bit natural to be pressed on falling short of those expectations when it occurs.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
