LSU women were absent during playing of national anthem. Kim Mulkey explains why. [Video]

ALBANY, N.Y. (WVUE) – In a press conference following LSU’s 94-87 loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight, Head Coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the Lady Tigers’ absence during the playing of the national anthem before the contest began.

Mulkey says it was unintentional. She said she didn’t know when the anthem would be played and that the team’s pre-game routine involves leaving the court 12 minutes before tip-off.

“Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” she explained. “We kind of have a routine where we are on the floor then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know. We come in and we do our pre-game stuff. I’m sorry. Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”