Kim Mulkey suspended by NCAA for criticizing referees

Baylor coach Kim Mulkey had some harsh words for the referees who officiated the Lady Bears' loss to Louisville in the NCAA semifinals in March.

"I thought the game started out way too physical, way too physical," Mulkey said, during the postgame press conference. "I thought that all three [refs], if they go past this round of officiating, it will be sad for the game. I thought the two critical calls at the end of the game were really bad."

Mulkey's complaint stemmed from Louisville's defense of Baylor star Brittney Griner, with several controversial calls at the end of the game that handed Louisville its winning free-throws.

The NCAA handed down a reprimand and a single-game postseason suspension to Mulkey Tuesday.

While the league has punished coaches in other sports for face-to-face confrontations with officials, Markey's reprimand is notable because her criticism of the referees came after the game.

The NCAA said it reacted more strongly to Markey's words because she had made similarly disparaging comments after the 2011 championship.

“The committee unanimously felt that the behavior of Coach Mulkey was unacceptable and has no place in the women’s basketball championship,” said Carolayne Henry, NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Committee chair.