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ESPN is making a huge mistake with Kim Mulkey and her Tigers. On Thursday, the network decided to relegate the LSU-Tennessee game to an SEC ESPN broadcast, depriving viewers of a nail-biting finish that gave the Tigers a last-second 89-87 win.
The Tigers are having a superb season. Not only are they undefeated in the overall standings, but they are the first team since Mississippi State to open 3-0 in the SEC and, moreover, with a win over the Volunteers in Knoxville.
Angel Reese is no longer with the team, but Flaujae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, and Aneesah Morrow have more than filled the void left by the Chicago Sky star. Still, ESPN seems to be pushing the team to the back burner, and assistant director of basketball operations Joe Schwartz isn't having it.
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LSU deserves national television
ON3 reporter Talia Goldman posted a clip of Kailyn Gilbert's game-winning basket in Knoxville with 0.7 seconds left, saying, "What an ending to the game of the night."
Schwartz went further by sharing Goldman's post on his Twitter , captioning it: "It's a shame this game wasn't nationally televised..."
The game was getting attention beforehand because of the Lady Vols' strong performance at home, where they were 8-1 through Thursday. Fans were eager to see coach Mulkey's defense take on one of the NCAA's best offenses, but many were left waiting by the lack of national broadcast.
Fans are furious, too
Fans were quick to rally behind Schwartz and Goldman on social media. "Best game of the day, @espnW @ESPN and it wasn't on television," said one angry fan, "FR. I was so mad I couldn't watch my team," said a second, and a third echoed them, saying, "Totally agree! It was a great game!"
LSU's next two games, against Vanderbilt and Florida, are also scheduled for SEC ESPN, but Thursday's game against South Carolina is scheduled for national broadcast on ESPN, to the delight of all fans.