LSU women’s basketball caught another piece of online criticism Tuesday morning, this time from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.
The team was criticized by some on social media Monday night for not being on the court for the national anthem prior to its Elite 8 game against Iowa. The Iowa players were on the court during the anthem holding hands.

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Landry added to that criticism Tuesday morning with a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game, is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag!”
“It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill,” the post read.
LSU, along with many other teams, has never been on the court during the national anthem this season. The team usually returns to the locker room around 12 minutes before tip-off and returns with about two minutes before tip-off.
“Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine where we are on the floor, and they come off at the 12-minute mark,” Mulkey said after the game. “That’s nothing intentionally done,” she said of not being on the floor during the anthem.