LSU’s star trio turning doubters into believers with March Madness run
SPOKANE, Wash. — LSU star Flau’jae Johnson has a lot on her plate.
A podcast.
Her music.
Brand deals.
But none of those things matter for the next two weeks.
“I’m not focused on none of this stuff,” Johnson said after practice Thursday. “I’m focused on winning the national championship.”
She also deleted social media from her phone to tune out the distractions.
“I know how to use my time, I know how to focus,” she said. “I’m just focused on the task at hand. I’m trying to win.”
A strong start to the NCAA Tournament, led by the Tigers’ star trio of Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams, has turned some LSU’s doubters into believers.
The Tigers had been written off by some this season after Angel Reese graduated and went to the WNBA.
An easier-than-most nonconference schedule also didn’t help their credibility.
LSU’s only win against a ranked opponent before SEC play started was N.C. State in the Bahamas.
Coincidentally, the second-seeded Wolfpack are third-seeded LSU’s opponents in the Sweet 16 Friday.
Injuries hampered LSU in the SEC Tournament.
Johnson, nursing a right shin injury, sat out the conference tournament, while Morrow hurt her foot in LSU’s March 8 loss to Texas in the SEC semifinals.
If the Tigers have proven anything over the past week, it’s that when they’re at full strength, they have the potential to compete against anyone.
“They’re all playing very good basketball, they’re excited,” coach Kim Mulkey said. “Everybody’s looking to score, they’re looking to share the ball. I just think just having everybody back and everybody healthy and it’s fun to watch ’em right now.”
Having three dominant players can either work out or be a total bust.
LSU has found synergy among Johnson, Morrow and Williams, who push one another to be better.
“I’ve played with All-Americans and stuff like that, but I’ve never played with two All-Americans and it’s just different,” Johnson said. “This dynamic is so different because you really get a challenge every day in practice and… I (have) never seen three dominant people… work so well together, and we don’t have egos. We all pull for each other. We all (are) on the same thing. We all want to win.
“And we know that this is Aneesah’s last year, so we all just kind of take that personal.”
N.C. State coach Wes Moore called Morrow the team’s “king dog” while also acknowledging, “you can’t lose sight of Williams and Flau’Jae.”
“There’s a lot of talent on that team. So you can’t get too caught up in just one player,” Moore said. “That’s what they all talk about in the NBA now, WNBA, having three great players, great scorers, and LSU has that formula. So we’re just going to have to see how the game unfolds.”
One thing is for sure, though: LSU will go as far as its star trio takes it.
