ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe strongly criticized LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey for her remarks following the mid-court altercation during the SEC Championship Game against South Carolina.
Mulkey pointed fingers at the officiating, suggesting it played a role in the on-court incident. She questioned the lack of fouls called late in the game and insinuated that her team and South Carolina were ready to engage physically. Additionally, she referenced an incident involving one of her players’ family members coming out of the stands.
Sharpe responded to Mulkey’s comments, expressing his disappointment in her approach. He emphasized the need for accountability and respect in women’s college basketball, contrasting Mulkey’s remarks with the positive contributions of other players and coaches in the sport. Sharpe criticized Mulkey’s suggestion of physical confrontation and urged her to set a better example.
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“You mean it figuratively, not literally. ‘Oh, we’re gonna fight. We’re gonna fight them tooth and nail. We’re gonna scratch and claw. You give nothing, you allow them to take nothing,’” Sharpe explained. “But Kim Mulkey, instead of saying, ‘You know what, sometimes when emotion is high, logic is low. And that’s not what women’s college basketball is about. Especially, with the love and support the women’s game has received this year thanks to Caitlin Clark, thanks to USC, like JuJu Watkins, and some of the others.’ But for you to take that stance: ‘I wish Cardoso could’ve pushed Angel Reese.’ … Really?
“Is that what you want? You want to see a fight? You want the women’s game to be marred by a fight? Really? C’mon Kim Mulkey. You’ve got to be better. And we’ve got to start doing a better job of holding Kim Mulkey accountable and responsible for some of her comments. We let that stuff slide because she’s a national champion. I refuse to do that. I believe she was wrong in this instance and Dawn Staley showed the utmost class and respect, not only for the game, but for her team and the opposing team.”
He also commended South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley for her class and respect in handling the situation.
Both LSU and South Carolina may face consequences for the altercation that occurred during the championship game.