LSU’s women’s basketball team concluded their season on Sunday, falling 72-65 to UCLA in the Elite Eight. In the postgame press conference, coach Kim Mulkey had an exchange with reporter Jayden Smith from KLSU Sports that could be seen as either combative or playful—or a mix of both.
Smith opened by referencing that this was LSU’s second consecutive Elite Eight loss. However, Mulkey interrupted, asking, “That’s terrible, isn’t it?” After a chuckle from Smith, she followed up with, “Is that terrible, or is that good?” When Smith answered “Terrible,” Mulkey countered with, “Is it? How many Final Fours did you play in?” After Smith noted he had never played in a Final Four, Mulkey responded, “So it’s probably pretty good, huh?”
#LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey to reporter after Elite Eight loss to #UCLA: “How many Final Fours did you play in?” 😳 pic.twitter.com/spR8bS3mBk
— Spencer Brown (@j_spencerbrown) March 30, 2025
It’s important to note that Smith’s statement was factual—whether consecutive Elite Eight losses are deemed terrible or good is subjective, but the reality of LSU losing in the Elite Eight for two consecutive seasons is unquestionable. Had Smith simply expressed that he thought it was terrible, Mulkey’s rejoinder might have seemed more appropriate. Instead, her interruption, even if intended to be light-hearted, created an unnecessarily awkward moment.
