LSU fans fume over team's national anthem no-show in Iowa loss - with angry supporters calling for them to 'put your f***ing hand on your hearts' and claim coach Kim Mulkey should be FIRED for pre-game routine

Livid LSU fans expressed their displeasure towards Kim Mulkey over the women's basketball team's absence during the national anthem ahead of their Elite 8 game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday.

The Iowa team stood hand in hand on one side of the court at Times Union Center in Albany, while Mulkey's side retreated to the locker room during the Star-Spangled Banner.

After the Tigers fell, 94-87, to their rivals, Mulkey said: 'Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played. 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, some LSU fans were outraged by their absence, with others going as far as calling for her firing.

'I look up a couple news sites and it says that LSU WB Team did not attend or stand for the national anthem?' One user wrote on Tiger Droppings.

'Are you kidding me? WTF Kim? What am I missing? We live in the Deep South and you are telling me LSU did this BS woke crap. Someone please help me understand what happened. For the life of me I don’t understand why LSU would do this intentionally or unintentionally.'

Another user called for Mulkey and Athletic Director Scott Woodward to get fired for the routine. The fan also expressed that he will no longer be rooting for the Tigers after decades of whole-hearted support.

'I've been an LSU fan since 1958,' the user wrote. 'I live and breathe purple and Gold. I'm also a Vietnam era veteran who loves this country. I just learned about the disrespect Mulkey and her team show for America and those who sacrificed so much.

'I'm glad they lost to Iowa. If they continue this 'routine' to snub the National Anthem, I hope they never win another game. The AD and Mulkey should be fired for allowing this 'routine.'

A third user shared the same sentiment and labeled Mulkey a 'pri-madonna MF', calling the coach to change her pre-game ritual.

'If that is the case, I will never watch their sorry asses again!!

'Stand up and put your f***ing hand on you hearts you Pri-Madona MF, and respect the men and women who died for your sorry asses to be standing on that court, with that uniform, with that great university paying for your education, and all these people cheering you on! Shall I go on?'

'Mulkey needs to change her pre-game!'

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.

'Neither LSU basketball or LSU football are out for the national anthem. That’s the point. This wasn’t a one time incident. Clarifying for the national media who doesn’t cover either team day in & dat (sic) out. That’s is all!'

A follower replied to Bouche saying: 'Clearly, a lot of people care. If you’re going to do this, then be prepared to take the heat and the hate. It’s their right to not be present for them anthem and its also critics right to hate on that.'

Bouch replied: 'Well said' with the 100 underlined in red emoji.

A picture of Mulkey and the team being absent during the national anthem in 2023's NCAA tournament against the Miami Hurricanes also resurfaced. The photo, however, did not help Mulkey's case, as it showed dismayed fans how long the team had done the routine.

In a rematch of last year's national championship game, the defending champions were out-performed by Lisa Bluder's Hawkeyes.

Iowa rallied behind Caitlin Clark and her 41-point performance as her historic season continued. Clark and company will take on UConn in the Final Four, with the winner meeting either NC State or South Carolina in the title game.