Kim Mulkey has awkward exchange with LSU student reporter after Elite Eight loss

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was her usual fiery self during Sunday’s Elite Eight loss to top-seeded UCLA, though it seemed maybe she was trying to be a bit lighthearted during an interaction with one reporter after the game. Mulkey spoke with reporters during her postgame press conference following LSU’s 72-65 defeat to top-seeded UCLA when one started their question by noting that this was the second consecutive season the Tigers’ run in the NCAA Tournament ended just shy of a Final Four appearance.The reporter in question was Jayden Smith of KLSU Sports, the student-run radio station for the school. “That’s terrible, isn’t it?” Mulkey said before Smith could push through his question.“Is that terrible, or is that good?” Mulkey then asked after Smith chuckled. “Terrible,” Smith answered. “Is it? How many Final Fours you play in?” Mulkey then retorted.Smith responded that he had played in none. “So it’s probably pretty good, huh?” Mulkey then said.While Mulkey has come to be known for her terse responses and exchanges with the media, this one may have been a little more tongue in cheek.The clip that was shared on social media cuts off before Mulkey could be seen winking — presumably in the reporter’s direction — before Smith continued on with his question about comparing to the two seasons.Though Mulkey’s past interactions with the press surely aren’t going to lead too many people to give the LSU coach much of the benefit of the doubt relating to Sunday’s postgame press conference interaction. Flau’Jae Johnson dropping a game-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field for LSU.Johnson reflected after the game about the season she had and how she grew both on and off the court. “I thought I became a better person, and I became — I really became a leader.That’s who I am at heart, and that’s — like, I want to continue to be a better person,” she said. ...