Shannon Sharpe didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about LSU coach Kim Mulkey while discussing her game plan in the Tigers’ 94-87 loss to Iowa in Monday’s Elite Eight matchup in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
During the latest installment of his and Chad Johnson’s “Nightcap with Unc and Ocho” podcast, Sharpe blamed Mulkey for her team’s inability to shut down Iowa sharpshooter Caitlin Clark, who finished with 41 points — including nine 3-pointers, tying a tournament record — and 12 assists to help the Hawkeyes advance to the Final Four.
“Kim Mulkey did a terrible job at coaching because they did nothing to get the ball out of [Clark’s] hands,” Sharpe said. “Look at how UConn approached [USC guard] Juju Watkins [in the other Elite Eight game Monday]. She got the ball [and] they blitzed her … You mean to tell me, Caitlin Clark, who arguably is one of the greatest shooters in college history, you go under the screen?
Shannon Sharpe reacts to LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s coaching style in the Tigers’ 94-87 loss to Iowa in their Elite Eight matchup in the NCAA Women’s Tournament. YouTubeExplore More
“There is no possible way you rehearsed that. I’m going to say Kim Mulkey, she coached them to go over the screen and that was just them going under the screen … I just didn’t see enough adjustments … One of two things needed to happen: you make her a scorer or you make her a facilitator, but you can’t let her do both.”
Clark added seven rebounds, two steals and one block in Monday’s win over the reigning champions.
Kim Mulkey speaks with the media after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes 94-87 in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on April 1, 2024 in Albany. Getty ImagesMulkey’s strategy certain had some head-scratching moments in LSU’s season-ending loss.
The four-time national champion coach didn’t have the Tigers double-teaming Clark, and LSU’s bigs played drop coverage, which allowed Iowa to get clean looks on outside shooting.
Mulkey also tasked senior guard Hailey Van Lith with defending Clark, and made no adjustments when Van Lith struggled throughout the game.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts in the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Albany Regional in the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConSharpe did commend No. 3 LSU on out-rebounding Iowa by 18, but thought the Tigers “did a terrible job” on defense.
The reigning champion Tigers had no answer for Clark and No. 1 Iowa after a strong first quarter, which was highlighted by LSU All-American forward Angel Reese.
Reese, a 21-year-old senior, recorded 17 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes before she fouled out with just less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after defeating the LSU Lady Tigers in the finals of the Albany Regional in the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con LSU forward Angel Reese (10) drives around Iowa forward Addison O’Grady (44) during the fourth quarter of an Elite Eight round college basketball game during the NCAA Tournament, Monday, April 1, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. APReese slowed down after she rolled her ankle on a camera while in the second quarter.
Clark — the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader — then took over in the second half, nailing four three-pointers in the quarter.
The 22-year-old Iowa native declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is the consensus No. 1 pick, which is owned by the Indiana Fever.
The draft will take place in Brooklyn on April 15.
