NC State and South Carolina players observe the American national anthem impeccably ahead of their Final Four showdown... after Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley tweaked their pregame routine following LSU controversy

NC State and South Carolina women's basketball players remained on the floor for the American national anthem ahead of their Final Four showdown - after LSU sparked controversy by not being on the floor during the Star-Spangled Banner last round.

While Iowa players remained on the court during the anthem in the Elite Eight, LSU players were back in the locker room, with Tigers coach Kim Mulkey claiming she didn't know when the anthem is played.

On Friday, however, both the Gamecocks and Wolfpack were present on the court as the song was played.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has previously said her team typically returns to the locker with 10 or 12 minutes left in pregame warmups - when the anthem is usually performed - so the Gamecocks may have changed their routine on Friday. 

One fan commented, 'The way it should be' along with an American flag, while another said, 'THANK you to both teams.'

However, another said, 'So crazy that this is noteworthy. What a mixed up nation we are.'

After LSU lost to Iowa 94-87 Mulkey tried to justify her players' absence.

'Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played,' she told reporters. 'We kind of have a routine when they're on the floor, and they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don't know. We come in, and we do our pregame stuff. I'm sorry, listen, that's nothing intentionally done.'

However, that answer only appeared to disgruntle fans even more, as some blasted the coach for the team's 'routine'.

'Now isn't that disgusting,' one social media user posted. 'She doesn't know when the Anthem is played. That tells you all you need to know.'

Another added: 'And that routine is leaving the floor prior to the playing of the United States National Anthem. Damn LSU!'

'I don't even know what time the anthem is played?!!! That's supposed to be better? Wow,' another outraged fan asked in disbelief.

Chessa Bouche, a reporter for Baton Rouge Proud News, said on X on Monday night that the team is always in the locker room when the national anthem is played before games.

'If you ever go to an actual LSU game you'll see that they 're never on the court for the anthem . It's that simple. I've covered them for three years & they've never been,' she said.