Kara Lawson is no stranger to pressure, but the recent conversation surrounding her has intensified after her team’s stunning upset loss to West Virginia. Currently ranked No. 15 in women’s college basketball, Duke suffered a 57-49 defeat despite playing with only five players against the Mountaineers.
This loss to an unranked opponent, on top of losing the season opener to Baylor, has caused Lawson to fall out of favor with the fans.
Basketball Fans Do Not Want Kara Lawson to Lead Team USA
In September, Kara Lawson was announced as the next head coach of the USA Women’s Basketball team through 2028. She recently led Team USA to a 92-84 victory over Brazil in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup final.
However, her performance as Duke’s head coach this season has led fans to argue she is not fit for the role.
A fan said, “USA Basketball, please rescind that offer. PLEASE,” on X after the match was over. The sentiment was reflected by many.
Another said, “USA Basketball needs to rethink the decision that made Kara Lawson the Team USA Women’s coach. That game was an embarrassment for Duke, but credit WVU for adjusting and playing hard.”
“No way Kara Lawson coaching the national team lol,” said a third. The fact that WVU managed to beat Duke with a limited number of players really seemed to rub salt in the wounds of the fans.
One more chimed in, “Nah Duke is bunz, how do you lose to a West Virginia that only has five players? Take that 15th rank away from them and keep Kara Lawson away from Team USA.”
Another fan called out Sue Bird, the first-ever managing director of the USA Women’s National Team, for hiring Lawson.
“WBB Olympic Coach, with roster full of HS All Americans, has her team being doubled up in 2nd half, 32-16, vs. WVU team with 4 backups + 1 starter, none of whom scored in 1st half. OMG. Sue Bird what you doing?! Check the CarFax Report PLZ,” the comment said.
What Happened at the Duke vs. WVU Game?
Just before halftime, Duke’s Jordan Wood blocked a shot attempt by WVU’s Jordan Harrison and taunted the latter by yelling. Harrison shoved Wood, and a skirmish broke out.
Five WVU players got up from their bench to support their teammates on the court: Gia Cooke, Carter McCray, Madison Parrish, Kierra Wheeler, and Jordan Thomas. Although they did not directly participate in the altercation, they were ejected from the game for leaving the bench. Wood and Harrison suffered the same fate.
WVU was down 23-20 at halftime, and they had only five players left for the remaining half of the game: Guards Sydney Shaw, Sydney Woodley, and Loghan Johnson, and forwards Célia Rivière and Riley Makalusky.
Despite the circumstances, the Mountaineers managed to clinch a victory, thanks to Shaw stepping up with 16 points and seven rebounds. She made five back-to-back free throws to secure the win for WVU.