LSU Kim Mulkey LOSS to Iowa in Elite 8 postgame, Flau'jae, Angel Reese & Van Lith
Summary
TLDRIn a post-game press conference, the LSU coach and student-athletes reflected on their season, discussing the team's resilience amidst adversity, the impact of their game against Iowa on women's basketball, and the personal growth and leadership of key players. The athletes expressed pride in their performance and the support they received from one another, despite the challenges they faced, including media scrutiny and social media criticism.
Takeaways
- 🏀 The LSU women's basketball team faced significant adversity throughout the season, including injuries and personal challenges, but remained resilient and proud of their efforts.
- 🤕 Angel Reese discussed her ankle injury during the game, emphasizing her toughness and determination to play through the pain without making it an excuse for her performance.
- 🎥 A reporter asked about the team's experience guarding Caitlyn Clark, to which the coach responded that defending her was difficult as she's a generational player who elevates those around her.
- 🙌 The coach and players praised the leadership and impact of Angel Reese on and off the court, highlighting her strength in the face of media scrutiny and personal attacks.
- 💬 Angel Reese expressed the emotional toll of the past year, including death threats and sexualization, and her determination to remain strong for her teammates and as a role model.
- 🏆 The team reflected on the importance of the LSU vs. Iowa rivalry for women's basketball, noting its role in creating historical moments and increasing viewership.
- 🤝 Post-game, there was a meaningful exchange in the handshake line, with players encouraging each other to continue elevating the game of basketball.
- 🎶 The coach was unaware of the national anthem mishap, indicating it was not a conscious decision and was likely a result of the team's pre-game routine.
- 🌟 The coach highlighted the growth and development of the players, particularly noting the selection of three players, including Angel and Faustine, as team captains.
- 🎓 Haley van Lith was acknowledged for her decision to join LSU, her contributions to the team, and her potential return for another year.
- 🥇 The coach emphasized the pride and learning experiences from the season, focusing on the journey to the Elite Eight and the lessons gained from both victories and defeats.
Q & A
How did Angel describe the team's journey over the past year?
-Angel described the team's journey as a wild ride, with many adversities such as injuries and personal time away from the team. Despite the challenges, the team remained strong and never folded.
What was the impact of Angel's ankle injury on her performance in the game?
-Angel acknowledged that she rolled her ankle but considered herself tough, trying to play through the pain. She emphasized that it was not an excuse for the rest of her play in the game.
How did Haley and FJ describe the challenge of guarding Caitlyn, their opponent?
-Haley and FJ acknowledged Caitlyn's skill and the difficulty in guarding her, as she hit tough shots. They mentioned that Caitlyn's teammates also played a significant role in their team's success.
What did FJ mean when she said she learned from Angel's confidence and leadership?
-FJ meant that Angel's strength and confidence, despite media criticism and personal challenges, inspired her. Angel's leadership gave FJ the confidence to play aggressively and improve as a player.
How did Angel respond to the media's portrayal of her as a villain?
-Angel expressed that the media often misrepresents her, but she remains strong and unapologetically herself. She mentioned facing significant challenges, including death threats and sexualization, yet she continues to stand strong for her teammates and be a role model.
What was the coach's strategy for defending Caitlyn Clark?
-The coach admitted there's not much strategy to guard Caitlyn as she's a generational player who makes everyone around her better. The focus was on trying to limit the impact she has on her teammates rather than stopping her completely.
What did the coach say to Caitlyn Clark during the post-game handshake?
-The coach told Caitlyn that he was glad she was leaving and made a comment about her being an extraordinary player, something he had never seen before.
Why wasn't the team on the floor during the national anthem?
-The coach was unaware of when the anthem was played as they have a routine of coming on the floor and then leaving at the 12-minute mark. It was not a conscious decision to be absent.
How did the coach feel about his players' passionate comments regarding Angel and the criticism she faces?
-The coach found it heartwarming and touching, believing the players were expressing their feelings about social media attacks on their teammate, which they had been wanting to address.
What does the coach remember most about the season?
-The coach will remember the small things that overcame challenges to put them in the Elite Eight. He plans to reflect on how they got there as a team and staff, and learn from the experience.
How has the team changed since becoming well-known a year ago?
-The coach believes the team has changed in many good ways, with the players having a memory of being part of something great. The experiences, both positive and negative, have contributed to their growth.
What did the coach say about Haley van Lith's contribution to the team?
-The coach praised Haley for her unselfish play and willingness to learn a new position after leaving Louisville. He expressed pride in having coached her and recognized her contributions to the team.
Outlines
🤝 Post-Game Press Conference Introduction
The press conference begins with an introduction of the LSU coach, Kim Mulkey, and student athletes Flo, Johnson Angel Ree, and Haley van Lith. The coach is first to comment, expressing readiness and gratitude. The session then transitions to questions from the student athletes, starting with Angel Ree who reflects on the team's journey, highlighting the adversities faced, including injuries and personal time away from the team. She emphasizes the team's resilience and pride in their performance, despite the challenges.
🏀 Reflecting on the Game and Team Dynamics
The summary focuses on the student athletes' responses to various questions about the game. Angel Ree discusses her experience of the game, including an ankle injury and its impact on her performance. She also talks about the challenge of facing a skilled opponent like Caitlyn and how the team tried to adapt during the game. Haley van Lith and FL share their thoughts on the tough coverage from their opponent and the overall team performance. The summary also includes a discussion on leadership, with the teammates expressing their support and admiration for Angel Ree and the positive influence she has on the team.
💪 Demonstrating Resilience and Future Plans
This section delves into the personal experiences and future plans of the student athletes, particularly Angel Ree. She talks about the personal challenges she has faced, including social media attacks and the pressure of being in the public eye. Despite the adversity, she remains strong and committed to her team. The summary also covers her teammates' perspectives on the LSU-Iowa rivalry and its impact on women's basketball. They reflect on the growth of the sport and their individual contributions to the team's success.
🏆 Coach's Perspective on the Season and Team
The coach, Kim Mulkey, shares her thoughts on the team's performance throughout the season, focusing on their journey to the Elite Eight and the factors that contributed to their success. She discusses the importance of learning from each experience and the pride she feels in her team's achievements. The summary also touches on the coach's lack of engagement with social media and her reliance on others to inform her of relevant issues. Additionally, the coach reflects on the team's unity and the positive changes they've undergone, despite the external challenges.
🌟 Celebrating Individual Contributions and Future Outlook
The final paragraph focuses on the coach's appreciation for individual team members, particularly Haley van Lith and FL, acknowledging their contributions and the growth they've shown throughout the season. The coach discusses Haley's decision to join LSU and the impact she's had on the team, as well as FL's development as a leader. The summary highlights the positive atmosphere within the team and the anticipation of future success, with the coach expressing pride in her players and optimism for what lies ahead.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Adversity
💡Leadership
💡Rivalry
💡Resilience
💡Teamwork
💡Confidence
💡Public Scrutiny
💡Sportsmanship
💡Personal Growth
💡Embrace
💡National Championship
Highlights
LSU coach and student athletes reflect on their journey and experiences throughout the season.
Angel Reese discusses the team's adversity and her pride in their resilience.
Reese talks about her injury and determination to play through the pain.
Haley Van Lith and FJ discuss the challenge of facing a skilled player like Caitlyn Clark.
Van Lith praises Reese's leadership and the confidence she instills in teammates.
Reese opens up about the media scrutiny and personal attacks she's faced.
Coach Kim Mulkey shares his admiration for Reese's toughness and leadership.
The team talks about the impact of the LSU-Iowa rivalry on women's basketball.
Reese and Clark share a moment of mutual respect during the post-game handshakes.
Coach Mulkey's strategy for defending star player Caitlyn Clark.
The team's unintentional absence during the national anthem and Coach Mulkey's response.
Coach Mulkey's thoughts on the team's passionate defense of Reese against social media attacks.
Reflections on the season and what the coach is most proud of.
The growth and development of player FJ and her leadership qualities.
Haley Van Lith's contributions to the team and her decision to join LSU.
Coach Mulkey's perspective on the team's future and the value of experience.
Transcripts
welcome media we are joined by LSU coach
Kim mky and the student athletes Flo
Johnson Angel Ree and Haley van lith and
we'll open with comments from the coach
thank you I'm
good good to go thank you let's start
with the student athlete questions up
here first
Pat eeden Rob with the Associated Press
angel I know it hurts now but you had
mentioned just kind of what a wild ride
this team has been on for the last year
can you kind of describe what it's meant
to you what it's been like for you both
the the positives and the you know the
negatives yeah we we we we've seen
everything this year um we have been
through so much adversity so I'm more
than proud of this team um we don't have
that much debt we had some injuries some
time I took some time away from the team
um so many things happened this year and
so many things hit us and we never
folded and just being able to come out
tonight and give our all for 40 minutes
we didn't we came up short but we we we
we have to keep our heads
High Andre Adon with the ESPN for Angel
we saw you go into I think fell into the
cameras uh in the second quarter um did
you twist your ankle at all would be the
the first question did that affect you
for the rest of the game if if it did
affect you yeah I did roll my ankle on
one of the cameras um and I mean I'm
tough so I tried to play through it of
course and this is something that has
been going on for a little while now but
I played through it and I'm not going to
make that an excuse um for the rest of
my play for the
game go ahead uh Michael Cobell WBZ TV
in Baton Rouge for Haley and for f just
what a tough cover Caitlyn is I mean
obviously you were fighting all night
but uh just the challenge that that she
presents yeah uh Caitlyn's very skilled
she's a great player um she hit some
tough shots um and there's not a whole
lot you can do about some of the three
she hit um and I think you know her role
the team around her that plays a role
they did a good job of executing their
role so you know ultimately they played
better than us and that's what it
was right behind NOP behind
thank
you hi uh sorry uh M Adler from the next
FL J wanted to ask specifically just
sort of going off that last question you
know you had a few possessions against
Caitlyn down in the fourth quarter you
able to force some turnovers for some
misses what went into you know taking on
that matchup and uh trying to help spark
a a run I mean U you study her film I
think my length kind of bothered her um
I'm aggressive I just wasn't scared you
know what I'm saying when you play a
player like that like you got to look
him in the eyes and really take on that
challenge um just tried to force her to
her left I know she wanted to step back
and my length can you know bother her a
little bit but you know I got to be
better Howard my do the next um
congratulations to the season you guys
have had flj if I could hear you uh on
Angel and the type of leadership that
she's provided for this team and Angel
can you just take me through what it
meant to see what FJ was able to do in a
game like this to you know put up 23
points and and be a factor in
bro let me tell you
something everybody could have their
opinion on Angel
Reese uh but y'all don't know her put
your hand like y'all don't know Angel
Reese I know Angel Reese I know the real
angel Reese and the person I see every
day is a strong person is a caring
loving person bro the crown she wear is
heavy
bro she's the type of teammate that's
going to make you believe in yourself
the the leap that I took for my freshman
the sophomore year Angel gave me that
confidence to go be a dog playing next
to a dog every
day and you know just to see how the
media ridicule her went through our
problems but like this my sister right
here and I'm so proud of her like the
media y'all how they like to twist and
call her a villain and all of that y'all
don't know Angel bro and I'm just happy
that I get to play with her I get to be
around her presence her energy is
different like she she just make me a
better player she make me a better
player and that's what great players do
I'll say something too um I think you
know Angel is one of the toughest people
I've been around facts um people speak
hate into her life I've never seen
people wish bad things on someone as
much as her and and it does not affect
her she comes to practice every day she
lives her life every day she she lives
how she wants to live and she don't let
nobody change that and you know that's
the that's the key to life right there
y'all do not get to her let me say it
again y'all do not get to Angel Reese so
you might want to give it up throw the
towel in cuz you're wasting your energy
so Angel's one of the toughest people
I've been
around right here go ahead uh D seski
outkick.com Angel do you have any
thoughts on your uh future plans in
basketball I'll make a decision when I'm
ready uh jacqu did you say wab TV and
Baton Rouge to to you need the players
the third quarter what what do you think
kind of went wrong there it seems like
you little snake bit balls just rolled
off the rim and some tough turnovers and
so
forth yeah it's pretty much it they uh
they outscored Us in the third
quarter um I think that was just
experience turnovers like you said I I
take that on the chin I feel like I got
to be better uh just just communicating
with my team better getting us into the
offense better like I got to be better I
think as a team that third quarter you
know kind of went under never came back
up per se you know what I'm saying but
it was just it was small mistakes those
everything everyday things we do in
practice that you know bad pass here
turnover here defense Mis execution
transition you know what I'm saying so
it's going to be things that we got to
clean up but we take that on the
chin what up okay go ahead right here I
didn't have a you you had your hand up
go behind then you did
Ben Pikman from the athletic um this is
for flag Angel it seemed like Angel when
you fouled out you walked over to the
sideline and you put your arm around
and FL put your arm around you um just
what did you guys say in that moment and
what was that moment like for you both
yeah just telling her just to keep
leading the team um and don't give up
and keep fighting I mean f has done a
great job when I'm down or not having my
best game being able to have a player
like a teammate like f as a sophomore
only a sophomore Step Up and just lead
the team and through everything she's
led the team throughout the whole year
so we've had that relationship and just
being able to talk to her in that moment
was great yeah she was just just like
they said she was just holding me
accountable you know I was telling
her cheer us on cheer us on keep us
going you know what I'm saying that's
all I could do right
there Erica L aala with CBS sports.com
Angel this question will be for you if
if you are willing to share what was
going through your mind as you heard
your two teammates right here on the de
just taking the the opportunity to to
really stand up for you and and what
your journey has been like that we don't
get to
see I don't really get to stand up for
myself I
mean I have great teammates I have a
great support system I got my hometown I
got my family that stands up for me I
don't really get to speak out on things
just because I just try to ignore and I
just try to stand strong like I've been
through so much I've seen so much I've
been attacked so many
times death threats I've been sexualized
I've been threatened I've been so many
things and I've stood strong every
single time and I just try to stand
strong for my teammates because I don't
want them to see me down and like not be
there for them
so I just want to always just know like
I'm still human like
all this has happened since I won the
national championship and I said the
other day I haven't had peace since then
and it sucks and but I still wouldn't
change I wouldn't change anything and I
would still sit here and say like I'm
unapologetically me I'm going to always
leave that Mark and be who I am and
stand on that and hopefully the little
girls that look up to me and hopefully I
give them some type of inspiration that
know hopefully it's not this hard and
all the things that come at you but keep
being who you are keep waking up every
day keep Mo being motiv staying who you
are stay in t toes don't back down and
just be
confident this is for uh cam can you
talk a little bit let's wait till they
leave sure sure um only players right
now thank you sure sorry about that this
for Ang uh can I same question for Angel
and all three of you what what is the
impact of the LSU Iowa rivalry on
women's basketball let's start with
angel thank you um I think it's just
great for the sport just being able to
be a part of History um like I said no
matter which way it went um tonight I
know this was going to be a night for
the ages and just being able to be a
part of history is great playing against
another great player of course is always
amazing in our viewership going up and
I'm sure so many different people
watched us tonight so I'm just happy to
be here I'm happy to just keep raising
women's sports not just women women's
basketball but just women's sports in
general
clj
yeah
um it's good for the game U women's
basketball has going to new heights I'm
happy to be a part of
it just happy
to happy to be a part of it you know
it's not all the times you get to see
players like Caitlyn Clark and anger
Rees you know what I'm saying and I'm
just blessed last year I was a freshman
seeing everything this year I'm a
sophomore able to um you know contribute
next year I'm going leave my mark
and grow the game
Haley yeah like they said I mean you
know it's an honor to be a part of it it
was an honor to be in that moment um and
the best thing about rivalries is they
don't end so LSU and Iowa will play each
other again and um you know we'll have
another opportunity last
one last one is here angel uh it seemed
like you had a nice uh um exchange with
the k in the handshake line you mind
sharing kind of what what you seem you
know what you told her yeah um she just
told me continue to be a great player
and I told her um continue to be a great
player as well and keep elevating the
game and go win
it thank you to the student athletes for
your time this week we appreciate it
thank you good
job good job bab good job y'all thank
you thank
you well now take questions for the
coach start here second
row hi coach uh two quick questions
first you know it seemed like where are
you from sorry yes identify name and
affiliation sorry M Adler from the next
uh two quick questions just what went
into the strategy in terms of how you
wanted to defend uh Caitlyn Clark um and
then also just wondering you know it
seemed like you had a long Embrace and
some kind boards for after the game in
the handshake line just wondering if if
you wanted to share what those were well
there's not a whole lot of
strategy you got to guard her nobody
else seems to be able to guard her we
didn't even guard her last year when we
beat him um she's just a generational
player and um she just makes everybody
around her
better that's what the great ones do I
think they had a kid that scored 21 and
18 she had 12
assists kayin Clark's not going to beat
you by herself it's what she does to
make those other teammates better that
helps her score points and them score
points to beat
you um what did I say to
her I said I sure am glad you
leaving I said girl you something else
never seen anything like
it right here and then up here Michael
Cobble WBZ TV uh were you surprised it
all at the pace of that first quarter
yes I um in talking to my team
we played to their
pace and
um back we ended the first quarter with
the
lead but back first I think their Pace
dictated um that third quarter I think
it really it really hit us in the third
quarter that
pace Kim Nancy armor USA Today sports
how hob or how limited was Angel and can
you talk about the performance that she
had despite that injury um I didn't ask
anybody you know how bad the sprain is
and honestly I'm assuming it's the same
ankle that she sprained in the
SEC um
tournament um but you're In the Heat of
the Moment you know she's
playing um trainer never came to see me
to give me any details you know so
I don't know that angel or I either one
would ever make an excuse that her being
hobbled was why we lost the
game Dan zesky outkick.com coach your
team wasn't on the floor during the
national anthem uh first part was that a
conscious decision on your part second
uh can you say what the team was doing
during that time honestly I don't even
know when the anthem was played we kind
of have a routine where we are on the
floor and then they come off at the 12
minute mark
that's um we just I don't know we come
in and we do our pregame
stuff um I'm sorry I listen that's
nothing intentionally
done uh jacqu did you say w TV and Baton
Rouge uh coach your players had some
very passionate and animated comments
just now about angel and treatment and
um criticism whatnot I just your
thoughts of what you just listened to
um I'm going to assume something here
now I'm going to assume they're talking
about social media attacks and I don't I
don't see all that I don't do social
media I thought it was
heartwarming I thought it was um
touching they are young people that are
on social media and that is their
teammate and um
it sounded like to me they've been
wanting to get that off their chest so I
just listened like you guys
[Music]
did read Darcy with the advocate and Ben
Rouge coach when you look back at this
season what do you think you're going to
remember and feel the most proud I'm
going to feel very
proud um I'm going to
um think
of the little things things that we
overcame that
um put us in an elite eight you're one
game away from going back to the final
four
and I'm going
to eventually think
of how did we get
here how did we get here here what did
we do as a team and as a staff to get to
this moment so basically I guess what
I'm telling you is you learn you learn I
learn every day as a
coach um I look at this stat sheet and I
just put a lot of little notes down
there and I'll file it away and think
about it when the emotion of a loss goes
away
um
we shot the ball y'all almost 20 times
more than they
did so that's the pace I'm talking
about and then you look at that
second and especially the third quarter
where we just miss
shots um you you'll dissect things like
that and um
yeah I could probably tell you a bunch
of things you'll dissect X's and O's
wise
um reverse the ball just a little bit
tougher in the
moment um depth I mean you could you
could just sit and talk all day about
the
game
um only one team finishes the season
happy and boy we got to do that last
year and somebody will get to do it this
year but everybody else is going to come
up
here and be sad and you know there's
nothing wrong with being sad if you're
not sad that means you didn't invest
much so those tears are tears of
investment P Rob from the Associated
Press Kim your players have talked about
how since a calendar year ago they have
become world famous for good for bad how
has that strengthened your team changed
these young women and what does it mean
for these the group going that that will
be coming back and going
forward T I've been doing this almost 40
years that doesn't count as a
player we've changed
people we've changed and we've
changed in so many good ways
and these young people will have a
memory of being a part of something that
was this great tonight being many of
them being a part of winning a
championship last
year
um I Can't Describe to
you how good it is right now in women's
basketball that's why I wish this game
could have been been at the final
four wow sure was good for an Elite 8
game and um we're proud to be a part of
that um good bad
indifferent
um our world our world has has changed a
lot when you talk about what they were
just talking about social
media I am honestly so oblivious to what
those kids see hear and even participate
in when it comes to social media I know
things when I need to know them from
coaches or administrators or I need to
address
things but I don't I don't invest in any
any of that I just I don't so if you
want me to know something you better
send it to me otherwise I don't see it
unless a family member or a team member
or somebody you know brings it to my
attention here and then the last one in
the middle go ahead hey coach Asar
Johnson from MV Sports um I wanted to
ask you at Haley van LIF it's clearly
her last last game um if you could just
and I'm pretty sure having a night she
had um if you just speak to the
contribution that she brought to this
team and everything that she's done cuz
one game doesn't Define anything I'm
pretty sure if anybody can speak on
Haley and her contribution you can well
I hope hope it's not her last game but
if it is I'm proud to have been her
coach for a year you know she's got
another year if she wants to come back
so does
angel uh I know they have to make
decisions but um the thing
that we talk about a lot on the men's
side we talk about one and done right
and how you know terrible that
is you know you go through a period you
can't have you know these players for
long periods of time man they're self
they going to take care of themselves
look everybody's different and they got
to do what they have to do Haley van
lith came to LSU after being an abundant
shooter shot it a lot at at Louisville
had great success was on good
teams but she wanted she graduated in
three years with a finance degree she
wanted to
experience all the things I guess she
saw from from on a from
afar with our championship last year and
for her to take that leap of faith and
leave her comfort zone at Louisville you
don't see many players do
that when she's was that big a piece to
their
puzzle um she has embraced learning a
new
position uh taking less shots
our last game against
UCLA I thought her stats were very good
but I'm an old point guard and I see all
that um forever indebted to Haley and
her unselfish play to come to LSU to
play with a lot of great players and
learn a new
position last one go ahead just the
growth that we've seen from FL ID again
an affiliation Michael Cobell WBZ TV and
bat R the growth we've seen from Fage
and for Angel to sit there and say you
know the leadership qualities that she
showed this year what does that do for
your team coming back next year well all
three of these young ladies were um
voted captains and for FL to be selected
as one of the captains as a
sophomore um pretty much sums it up uh
she is just a a person of Joy she just
plays the game with a lot of um heart
and she's learning to become a leader at
a young
age and um I'm glad I get to coacher
coach thank you very much for your time
this week you're
welcome
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
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