lsualum96

quote:

---

Kim said that at a press conference assuming. But if you look at the draw we were not. Plus how would be ahead of Vandy if they beat us head to head.

---

When Vandy lost to Ole Miss in the SEC tournament, it knocked them below us. LSU was the highest two seed in the NCAA tournament pairings.

quote:

---

Don’t know what ya’ll think about Captain Will’s podcast, but I watched for the first time last night on his take of LSU getting Noa Morro. Although he’s probably a Gamecock guy, he seemed to have an objective take. He thinks getting Morro is “huge” for LSU, that she’s a potential SEC star, and if she plays to her ability LSU will be “trouble” for everyone in the SEC next year. He said the biggest reason is that as a stretch 4 she shoots almost 40 percent from 3. So defenders will have to respect that ability whereas they might not respect the 3-point shooting of Jada Williams or Laila Reynolds, outstanding players but not great from 3 with averages 30% or lower.

LSU lost 3 of its top 3-pt. shooters in Flau’jae (43 percent), Richard (40 percent), and Bella. Mikayla (42 percent) and Lay shoot the 3 well, but they need others to step up to shoot the 3 well next season also so defenses don’t start just packing it in down low against LSU’s bigs. Maybe Z and Lola shoot the 3 well. Reynolds and Jada Williams were both McDonalds AA who Kim likes for a reason.

---

I've been watching Will for a couple of years now. He is a SC homer, but I've noticed with his newer podcast he's trying to be more equal in his assessment of teams outside of SC. I do agree with him that Morro has the potential to change the dynamic on offense for this team, if she can score inside AND outside. It remains to be seen but, I have a feeling she's going to be the starting power forward with Knox coming off the bench, and Koval at the center.

Just thought I'd take us a little off topic here.....................

Has anyone realized that, although we lost Jada Richard, it might actually end up being a good thing? Jada would've been our starting pg for three straight seasons, through 2028. Now that she's gone, and our starting pg is going to be a senior this upcoming season, it means now we can put on a full onslaught to get Kaleena Smith. She's the type of pg who can come here and start on day one, and I'd imagine that will be a selling point to her from this staff, this coming Summer and Fall. It's gonna be tough to get her out of California, but a promise of starting on day one, along with NIL, might be enough!
:geauxtigers:

Morrow would be great, but still not enough. I'll wait and see........................

:geauxtigers:

quote:

---

LSU alum-

Your post is duly noted, and I don't dispute the facts or comparisons you've made. I appreciate your research! My point was SPECIFICALLY about who makes the big shots AT THE END of games when they're on the line- who has that "clutch gene" under immense pressure with the game on the line and heavy on your shoulders in the final minute and seconds that Michael Jordan personified and perfected- who handles the greatest pressure the best- and I'll continue to have that opinion about MK.

But I really appreciate Flaujae's contributions- she stepped up often in big games, but not as much as I'd hoped for given a player of her magnitude AT THE VERY END OF BIG GAMES, which often determines championships. You could tell by Flaujae's disappointed expressions in those instances that she often felt the same way. You need the clutch scorer in those moments, and I'll take MK all day every day in those situations, even though (as you've pointed out) Flaujae often outplayed her for most of the game.

Carry on! We're both rooting for the same players and appreciate them!

---

Exactly! I think we both want the same things. I don't dispute that Mikaylah makes big shots. But her shortcomings for me are the fact that she doesn't show up in big games at times, in order for her to even get the CHANCE to make those clutch shots. But in the end, as you said, we want the same thing. I'm REALLY hoping that Mikaylah is more assertive next season. When she came out of HS she and Juju Watkins were rated even in the rankings..........some had Watkins #1 and some had Mikaylah #1. But the difference I saw, even in the freshman season, was that Juju was way more assertive than Mikaylah.......................and Mikaylah was a better shooter from the field AND the three, but she didn't have that "Jordan gene" if you will, that Watkins has. I'm really hoping this changes next season because we're gonna need it...............

quote:

---

Who made the bucket with under a minute left to sink Texas? Who made the buzzer-beating shots to force OT against Stanford and Oklahoma last year? MK. A number of times she’s made the clutch FTs to put the game away. Who does Mulkey trust and give the ball to at the end of games and quarters? MK These are facts. Where are your Flaujae facts?

Also, in the first SC game Flaujae not only missed the free throws but a three-pointer that could have either tied or won the game with 7 seconds left.

Flaujae meant an incredible amount to the program, and I’ve always liked her a lot. But was almost always disappointed with her inability to hit the clutch shots down the stretch in the biggest games.

I knew this post would be unpopular because we all love Flaujae so much, but I feel my stance is backed by the facts.

---

Again, you are cherry picking. But if that's the route you want to go..........

2024 SEC Tournament vs SC - Johnson, 13 pts (40 minutes), Williams 2 pts (23 minutes)

2024 NCAA Tournament vs UCLA - Johnson 24 pts, Williams 12 pts

2024 NCAA Tournament vs Iowa - Johnson 23 pts, Williams 18 pts

2025 NCAA Tournament vs UCLA - Johnson 28 pts, Williams 10 pts

2026 SEC Reg Season vs #13 Oklahoma - Johnson 23 pts, Williams 10 pts

2026 SEC Reg Season vs #3 South Carolina - Johnson 21 pts, Williams 11 pts

2026 SEC Reg Season vs #17 Ole Miss - Johnson 21 pts, Williams 7 pts

2026 SEC Tournament vs #7 Oklahoma - Johnson 21 pts, Williams 14 pts

So, as I've said, we can cherry pick all day long. My problem with Williams is more often than not she is not assertive in big games. She could literally lead the SEC in scoring if she wanted to but, she's WAY too passive. Johnson is not.............AND Johnson is a MUCH better defender. Your previous post is based on OPINION (contrary to your belief), but that's okay because that's what a message board is for. It will be interesting to see what happens next season because if Williams doesn't give this team at least 20 ppg, next season's team will take a step back with what they currently have coming back. Next season she hast to STEP UP and be the player she was supposed to be coming out of high school, period.........................and stop disappearing when the team needs her most.

quote:

---

Even then I think LSU had the better overall team with one exception- Flau’jae. As much as I love her she was a huge choke artist in the big game. SC was in her head throughout her career- not in everyone else’s. You put MK at the line at game’s end and LSU wins. MK has consistently hit the big pressure shot- not Flaujae, who always wilted under pressure at the end of games.

Take away all the hype and rap and flash and swag and personality- all of which we love about Flaujae- and you have a girl who’s not very confident at the most critical moments of the biggest games against the toughest competition. We always referred to these as front runners. But to be known as a champion- to beat the championship-level opponents under the greatest pressure- you have to be able to come through with the game on the line.

Flaujae was a great player who was spectacular to watch- but she didn’t have “it”- the clutch gene when LSU needed it most. MK has it. Fulwiley has it. Even Jada Richard had it. But Flaujae tended to disappear with the game on the line. Maybe she’ll perform differently in the pros. I’m excited about this next team being MK’s team and Lay’s team.

Flaujae consistently got all the hype for LSU before the big games, but I think that was more based on her larger-than-life persona than her actual production in big games. MK and Lay will deservedly get their pub this next year.

---

You're clearly not watching the games, and definitely didn't watch this season's game. If not for Flau'je the game is not close in the second half. But, carry on.................................. :rolleyes:

Welp, she's Tiger Bait now. Can't wait to see Jada Williams serve her all game long in the PMAC!

:geauxtigers:

I like her game. If we can get this version of her on a consistent basis as a junior and senior, she can DEFINITELY help us!

quote:

---

No one watches WNBA, hoss

---

Whether "no one watches WNBA" is irrelevant now. The CBA is done. The players will be making multimillion dollar contracts. Who cares about who's watching now? The players got what they wanted. :lol: