LSU's Kim Mulkey says 'sleazy reporter' didn't distract team in 2nd round win: 'Absolutely not'

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The biggest story about the LSU women’s basketball team as March Madness is well underway has not been about their performance on the court, but rather comments made by their head coach, Kim Mulkey, regarding a rumored hit piece that she expects to be published. 

Mulkey made waves during her opening statement at a press conference before the Tigers’ second round matchup with Middle Tennessee, as she threatened to sue The Washington Post after hearing rumors the outlet was contacting former "disgruntled" players in an attempted "hit piece."

Of course, distractions off the court this time of year is nothing a team wants to see, but the Tigers’ slow start on Sunday against Middle Tennessee, who was leading at halftime, 36-32. LSU rallied in the second half to win dominantly, 83-56, after holding Middle Tennessee to just 20 points in the half. 

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LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts to a play against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)

The game sent Mulkey and her Tigers to the Sweet 16 once again, but after the game, a reference to a "sleazy reporter" was mentioned when asked if the team was distracted at the start of the game. 

"I’m not going to let one sleazy reporter distract us from what we’re trying to do. Absolutely not," Mulkey said. "My kids didn’t even know I said that yesterday. That team’s not involved in this. They were in shock when they saw all that on the Internet. I don’t take that stuff to my team."

Four of the five starting Tigers finished with double-digit points, as sophomore