LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey made headlines during March Madness after threatening to sue The Washington Post over rumors of a hit piece being prepared against her. Despite the distraction, LSU managed to rally from a slow start against Middle Tennessee to dominate in the second half and advance to the Sweet 16. Mulkey, upset over the alleged hit piece, referred to a “sleazy reporter” after the game but made it clear that she wouldn’t let the situation affect her team’s performance.
The Tigers had a strong showing against Middle Tennessee, with four of the five starting players finishing in double-digit points. Guard Flau’Jae Johnson led the scoring with 21 points, followed closely by Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow, who each had double-doubles. However, guard Hailey Van Lith struggled with only four points on 1-of-5 shooting and was benched to start the second half. Despite the off-court distractions, Mulkey was focused on leading her team to victory in the tournament.
Mulkey defended herself against the rumored hit piece by The Washington Post, claiming that the reporter behind it had been trying to gather negative quotes from her former players for the story. She accused the outlet of attempting to publish a one-sided and embellished version of events to tarnish her reputation. Mulkey announced that she had hired a legal team and was prepared to sue The Washington Post if they went ahead with the article.
The Washington Post declined to provide a comment on the situation when contacted by Fox News Digital. Mulkey expressed her frustration over the timing of the alleged hit piece, as it coincided with the team’s focus on performing well in the tournament. Despite the distraction, Mulkey was determined to protect her team from the negative impact of the situation and emphasized that they were not involved in the controversy. LSU’s success in the tournament highlighted their resilience and ability to overcome adversity both on and off the court.
Mulkey’s strong stance against The Washington Post’s alleged intentions to publish a negative story about her showcased her determination to defend her reputation and protect her team. The Tigers’ performance in the face of distractions demonstrated their ability to stay focused and deliver results under pressure. Mulkey’s decision to address the situation publicly and threaten legal action underscored her commitment to standing up against what she perceived as unfair treatment by the media. As the tournament continued, LSU’s success on the court remained the primary focus, with the team advancing to the Sweet 16 despite the off-court controversy surrounding their coach.
