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LSU players found themselves at the center of controversy during their Elite 8 game against Iowa.
On Monday Night, LSU faced off against Iowa in one of the biggest games of the college basketball season.
Before the opening tip-off, some fans noticed that LSU’s team wasn’t on the bench for the national anthem.
Iowa players holding hands during the American National Anthem. LSU players left the court before the anthem was performed. pic.twitter.com/GhCLHUXiBX
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 1, 2024
Last year, LSU found themselves in a similar position when they didn’t come out for the national anthem during the national championship game against Iowa.
According to a local Baton Rouge journalist, LSU never comes out for the anthem before games.
LSU is never on the court for the National Anthem https://t.co/tfsDAgdOjn
— Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) April 1, 2024
It’s unclear why LSU players skip the anthem, but fans were extremely angry with the team’s actions.
I don’t want to hear anybody out. This is flat out embarrassing.
Some of these women have made almost a million bucks before age 22… where else can you do that in the world at a university?
You’re protesting what exactly? Being a one per-center? Yikes https://t.co/waYLMTrpxE
— Zach Von Rosenberg (@ZVR09) April 2, 2024
Update: LSU head coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the anthem controversy and claims the team not being on the floor during the anthem wasn’t intentional.
“Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem is played, we kind of have a routine we’re on the floor and then they come off at around the 12 minute mark…I don’t know that’s nothing intentionally done.”
Kim Mulkey says team not being on the floor during national anthem “wasn’t intentional” pic.twitter.com/msEK7arBVX https://t.co/ZgFQ2QbULP
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 2, 2024