Kim Mulkey Declares War on NCAA After LSU Star Faces Crippling Setback in SEC Heartbreak

Kim Mulkey doesn’t hold back when she’s fired up, and right now, she’s got a big issue with the NCAA. After LSU’s tough loss to Texas in the SEC Tournament semifinals, she’s not just upset about the game—she’s questioning why these tournaments even exist. And with one of her stars, Aneesah Morrow, now dealing with a foot injury, Mulkey thinks it’s time to rethink how things are done.

“I don’t know why we play them, to be honest… I’ve never been a fan of conference tournaments. To me, it’s too long,” Mulkey said after LSU’s 56-49 loss, where Morrow reaggravated a mid-foot sprain.

Before the injury, Morrow was on fire, setting an SEC Tournament record with 36 points in LSU’s 101-87 win over Florida in the quarterfinals. Coming into the game against Texas, she was averaging 18.7 points and 14 rebounds. LSU’s hopes of making a deep run in March Madness were squarely on her shoulders. But when she went down with a foot injury during the semifinal, it raised serious concerns for the team.

Morrow, who’s leading the nation in rebounds, had to be helped off the court, and later, she was seen wearing a walking boot. While it’s expected that she’ll be ready for the NCAA Tournament, there’s no sugarcoating it—this injury could seriously affect LSU’s chances of going all the way. And with another key player, Flau’Jae Johnson, already battling shin issues, Mulkey knows LSU’s road to the championship just got a lot tougher.

Even so, Mulkey’s trying to stay positive. “Oh, yeah, (Morrow) can go. She can go for the (NCAA) tournament… Flau’Jae will be back. Everything is good… We have everybody.” But with injuries piling up, the question on everyone’s mind is whether LSU will be fully ready when it’s time for March Madness.

Kim Mulkey thinks what really matters is being ignored

Kim Mulkey knows how to win. She has 11 conference tournament titles, many from her time at Baylor, and LSU was having a strong season. But after seeing Morrow limp off with a foot injury, Mulkey’s questioning if these conference tournaments are worth it. For her, the NCAA Tournament is what counts.

“I’ve won a lot of conference tournaments. Everyone loves a trophy,” Mulkey said. “But I’ve also been in those tournaments where players get hurt and can’t play in the NCAA Tournament, which is what really matters.” Mulkey is all about March Madness, and these extra games seem to just increase the risk of injury. While the tradition and excitement of conference tournaments make them a staple of March basketball, Mulkey is raising questions about their necessity. If the goal is to determine the best teams in each conference, the regular season already accomplishes that.

She further added, “If you have conference tournaments, do we really need all 16 teams in the conference tournament? I don’t know. They don’t care what we think, right?”. Mulkey’s not the only one frustrated, though. Coaches like South Carolina’s Frank Martin and Colorado State’s Niko Medved have spoken out about the risks, especially with travel. “We don’t need to lock in on these tournaments right now,” Medved said.

Despite these criticisms, conference tournaments are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. They generate significant revenue through ticket sales, television contracts, and advertising, making them a lucrative event for conferences and the NCAA. Fans also enjoy the unpredictable nature of these tournaments, which often provide some of the most thrilling moments of the college basketball season.

What do you think? Do conference tournaments matter, or do they just risk teams before the big dance? Mulkey’s answer is clear—she doesn’t think they’re worth it. With LSU’s championship hopes on the line, Mulkey’s war with the NCAA is just beginning.