Right after their huge loss in the 2024 SEC tournament title game, LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey said she still believed in her team’s ability to win. On March 10, 2024, the Tigers lost to their conference rivals, coach Dawn Staley‘s South Carolina Gamecocks, in the conference tourney championship matchup by seven points, 79-72, in what became one of the defining games in women’s college hoops history.
During the post-game press conference, coach Mulkey was asked about her thoughts after an intense, nip-and-tuck affair that she and her Tigers had against the Gamecocks. Now that they were looking on to that year’s NCAA tournament after the loss, Mulkey did not shy away from asserting her strong belief in her team.
“They did exactly what I thought they would do. I got some champions out there…We’re in a good spot. Angel is right, we’re playing some pretty good basketball right now, and that’s just the God’s truth. They got a lot of depth. One kid basically hurt us today, and that was [Milaysia] Fulwiley. You look at the stats, how can you not leave here and go, ‘God, I wish that the playoffs started next week.’ But, we’ll have everybody back,” Mulkey said (4:57).
“Everybody’s good to go. So the NCAA, you don’t need to call me and ask if Mikaylah Williams is good. You don’t need to ask me if Angel Reese is good. You don’t need to ask me about [Last-Tear] Poa; she’s only in concussion protocol. We are playing our best basketball. Congratulations to South Carolina. They made plays when we would cut the lead. Turnovers killed us today. Turnovers. And it was very, very physical,” she added.
Unfortunately for Mulkey and the rest of the Tigers, they were eliminated in the 2024 national tournament by their cross-conference rivals, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
In the Elite Eight of the aforementioned tourney, Iowa defeated LSU by seven points, 94-87, which ended the Tigers’ NCAA title hopes that year. They were heading into postseason play as the reigning national champions.
Read More: Ex-South Carolina Star MiLaysia Fulwiley Gets Playful Reply From Kim Mulkey’s Assistant Coach Over New Training Clip
The 2024 SEC Tournament Title Game Is Infamous For Its Late-Game Scuffle
The 2024 SEC tournament title showdown between the LSU Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks is infamous for the scuffle that occurred at the 2:08 mark of the fourth quarter.
This is because LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson and Gamecocks rookie MiLaysia Fulwiley got tangled up, and then a scuffle between both teams ensued right after.
Also Read: “Wish She Would’ve Pushed Angel Reese”: When Kim Mulkey Didn’t Hold Back After An On-Court Scuffle With Dawn Staley’s South Carolina
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