I don’t watch women’s basketball. I decided to watch my New York Rangers come out flat against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, where they lost 5-2. The Rangers have already clinched a playoff spot, but I want home ice and the Metropolitan Division this year. It could get tough with the Carolina Hurricanes on our heels. Even if I knew the Rangers would lose, I probably wouldn’t have watched the Elite Eight of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament despite the hype.
The LSU Tigers faced off against a familiar opponent: the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese would duel again, which led to an avalanche of headlines. The game was something of a rematch. The two teams faced off in last year’s championship, where LSU bested Iowa 102-85. There was trash talk, and this rivalry has led to some writers saying that Clark and Reese resemble Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Let’s hit the brakes on that for a bit.
Caitlin Clark vs Paige Bueckers in the Final Four pic.twitter.com/Zlj5ddXQQ8
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 2, 2024
Based on the highlights, Clark was unstoppable, dropping 41 points in Iowa’s 94-87 win over the Tigers. If you want to thread a political comeuppance here, LSU’s team reportedly walked off the court before tip-off. LSU coach Kim Mulkey added that leaving the court before the game was not intentional; it was just part of their routine. Breitbart quoted her as saying she was unaware of when the national anthem is played.
🚨DEVELOPING STORY: Outrage is building after the LSU women’s basketball team walked off the court for the American National Anthem. Iowa players remained on and held hands in solidarity! pic.twitter.com/8ZLtwc2W13
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) April 2, 2024
This is the LSU women's basketball team. They walked off the court during the National Anthem.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 2, 2024
They just got CRUSHED by Iowa 94-87.
LOVE TO SEE IT! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JRkYckFUGV
Kim Mulkey said her team didn't intentionally leave the floor prior to the playing of the United States National Anthem.
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 2, 2024
"Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine [for leaving the court at a certain time]." pic.twitter.com/JclJExC1Ym
Disrespect the national anthem and get rolled over in the big game. Makes sense.
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