Main reason we lost

And we did not dominate rebounding as usual.

Duke's plan, which worked, hold Koval and Z. Johnson down in scoring... they combined for 0, yes zero, points! And F. Johnson didn't help offensively or defensively... another off game for her.

Unless it’s a full court miracle heave at the buzzer, one single play is never the reason a team loses a game

F. Johnson will never forget her last game as she failed to block the three pt shooter. Put the hand in front of face, duh!

Morrow

I've become a strong LSU women's basketball fan (never was before) since Kim Mulkey arrived, and I had high hopes for this team with all of their talent, even though it was mainly young talent with lots of new players. They looked unstoppable at times, and I thought their maturity throughout the season would lead to finally winning the close games against really good teams. But they could never get over that hump.

To win those huge games against the top teams, you have to have your team leaders step up with ice in their veins and make the biggest plays of the game under pressure. I've been a big Flau'jae Johnson fan, and as much as I love her as a fiery leader, a joyful person, and a true ambassador for LSU, I have to say that throughout the season she never showed that she had that "clutch gene" under pressure possessed by championship leaders.

Really quite the opposite. She would often lose control and turn the ball over, botch clutch free throws or open shots, and make silly mistakes defensively at the absolute worst times. Her games were rarely consistent from beginning to end- I think she just naturally rides an emotional rollercoaster, either very up or very down, but rarely even-keeled like you need to be to lead a championship team. Mikayla and Fulwiley also made their share of key mistakes throughout the season and in the game against Duke tonight, but they've shown me (my opinion) much more of the "clutch gene" under pressure. Hope they both stay.

That said, I've enjoyed watching Flau'jae throughout her career- she's been so fun to watch and root for. She's brought us many enjoyable and successful moments. Incredible athlete that could give you plenty of ooh and aah moments, spectacular moments. And when she got hot, she was really great.

But there were also too many key moments in the biggest games, like leaving her feet defensively at the end of the game they just lost, that I should have predicted would reappear and probably prevent them from getting to the Final Four. A lot of those mistakes were due, I believe, to her wanting to win so badly and trying so hard that she sometimes lost control and made a mistake. It wasn't because of lack of effort. She did often seem to disappear when things weren't going well (but she changed that tonight and came on in the second half until the final play).

Throughout the season I felt Flau'jae was often overhyped by the TV networks as THE KEY PLAYER for LSU whereas Mikayla and Fulwiley were more the reasons for the team's success. Flau'jae was a media darling with her flash, entertainment value, and community service/philanthropy, but I felt the others were more dependable for winning the big games.

I will miss watching Flau'jae play. She was such a joy, and she did so much for LSU and the Baton Rouge community. We'll never see another like her. I hope she finally wins a title in the WNBA.

So long, Flau'jae. We appreciate you and will miss you!

quote:

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F. Johnson will never forget her last game as she failed to block the three pt shooter. Put the hand in front of face, duh!

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Play fundamental defense, don’t leave your feet and run by the shooter, stay in front of her with arms up hand in face and with only two seconds left she won’t make that shot . Johnson did none of that .