‘How Many Final Fours You Play In?’ LSU Coach Kim Mulkey Snaps at Reporter Following NCAA Tournament Loss

Screenshot

Louisiana State University women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey snapped at a reporter over a question about the Tigers’ loss in the NCAA Tournament.

Mulkey’s team lost 72-65 to the UCLA Bruins in the Elite Eight on Sunday. After winning the tournament in 2023, the Tigers have been eliminated in the Elite Eight in two straight years. Led by star forward Angel Reese, the team lost last season to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Following Sunday’s game to the Bruins, Jayden Smith of KLSU Sports — a student-run radio station — began his question pointing out the fact that the team had back-to-back losses in quarterfinal round.

SMITH: Coach, this is the second straight year you guys get eliminated in the Elite Eight. Just–

MULKEY: That’s terrible, isn’t it?

SMITH: Yeah. (laughs)

MULKEY: Is that terrible or is that good?

SMITH: Terrible.

MULKEY: Is it? How many Finals Four you play in?

SMITH: Uh, none.

MULKEY: So it’s probably pretty good, huh?

SMITH: Yeah.

MULKEY: Alright.

Mulkey had a few confrontational moments with the media in recent years. During last year’s tournament, she specifically singled out LA Times reporter Ben Bolch for characterizing her team as “dirty debutantes” ahead of the Tigers’ game against the Bruins in the Sweet 16.