It was yet another slow start for coach Kim Mulkey and LSU women’s basketball in the Tigers’ second round matchup vs. MTSU. Still, in what would turn into a game of two halves, leadership from players like sophomore Flau’jae Johnson came through and they’re officially on to the Sweet 16.
Leadership shined through for sophomore Flau’jae Johnson vs. MTSU
There was never any doubt about talent heading into the 2024 women’s college basketball season for coach Kim Mulkey and the Tigers. With some of the best star power in the country, they’ve always had more than enough to achieve just about anything they wanted.
However, talent alone isn’t enough to win championships in today’s era. You ultimately need a perfect mixture of ability, coaching, leadership and overall chemistry.
In turn, while developing some of said necessary traits, there have been some serious growing pains throughout the season for LSU women’s basketball, but it appears they might be catching the right groove at the right time.
After falling behind by as many as nine points early in the third quarter of the second round vs. MTSU, things were in danger of getting out of hand for the purple and gold. Still, leadership shined bright from a relatively unexpected place, and things rapidly turned around, allowing the team to not only comeback but dominate by the time the clock hit zero.
While speaking to the media postgame, star forward Angel Reese spoke glowingly about sophomore Flau’jae Johnson and the leadership she showed during the 83-56 comeback win over the Blue Raiders.
“It comes from the defensive end. I think she’s done a great job. The transition from her freshman to sophomore year and taking that on. She usually guards the best player on the team, I mean tonight the point guard was that. But she took accountability in just being able to get down and give us a lot of energy,” Reese reflected on Sunday while speaking with the media.
“Like she said in the locker room, ‘Cut the head off the snake.’ And that was the point guard, so just being able to have leadership from a sophomore when I might not be having my best game or Hailey may not be having her best game. Also having leadership from our younger players is great.”
Not only has the talented guard grown from a leadership standpoint, but she’s received a major boost in reliance on the basketball court, and she’s truly thrived in the bigger role. After averaging 11.0 points, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman, she’s seen a significant increase in numbers, currently recording 14.4 points, 2.5 assists and a whopping 2.2 steals per game.
LSU women’s basketball will need to talented guard to continue her winning ways vs. UCLA in the Sweet 16
Now, as the Tigers turn their attention to their Sweet 16 matchup vs. UCLA, the sophomore guard finds herself in a unique position for most underclassmen throughout the country.
Despite being in just her second season of women’s college basketball, Johnson is one of just four players on roster to have played minutes in a previous Sweet 16. Angel Reese and Last-Tear Poa played alongside the sophomore guard in last year’s tournament run, while Hailey Van Lith scored 21 for Louisville last year vs. Ole Miss in the third round matchup.
Now, in using that extra experience, she’s already beginning to pass it down to the freshman class, most specifically to talented guard Mikaylah Williams.
“Just let the game come to you. I think when you do that, you just play it like it’s another game. You know it’s win or go home, but you try not to put that pressure on yourself. And I try to tell that to Mikaylah. Our freshman. Our star freshman guard – one of the best freshmen in the country, may I add,” the newly coined veteran guard explained when asked about passing her knowledge to the players who are experiencing their first March Madness.
“But I try to tell her just play your game. And I had to learn it. I was so nervous last year – in the Miami game, I was so nervous and turning the ball over, but I just told her, just have fun and play and let the game come to you. I think that’s a part of that poise and that experience, knowing that the game could change on the drop of a dime. You’ve just got to play hard.”
For now, with less than 24 hours remaining until the Tigers’ Sweet 16 matchup vs. UCLA, it’s all about taking things one game at a time, and having experienced players like Johnson, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith and Last-Tear Poa helps immensely.
Additionally, after two rocky games in a row vs. Rice and MTSU, there’s little doubt the purple and gold will be anxious to get back to the court and show what they can do.
“Last year was fun, and it was kind of expected because we weren’t supposed to win,” Flau’jae Johnson continued. “So now we’re just trying to build, build, build on that. Of course we don’t want to go home, but we’re definitely fighting. And it’s exciting for me, like, I’ve got anxiety. I’m ready to play.”
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