Spokane, Washington – LSU star Flau'jae Johnson has plenty on her plate.
Podcast.
Her music.
Brand trading.
But these things won't be important in the next two weeks.
“I'm not focusing on this kind of thing,” Johnson said after practice Thursday. “I'm focused on winning the national championship.”
She also adjusted the distraction by removing social media from her phone.
“I know how to use my time, I know how to focus,” she said. “I'm just focusing on the task at hand. I'm trying to win.”
The strong start of the NCAA Tournament led by Johnson's Tigers starter Rio, Anesa Moreau and Mikaila Williams has transformed LSU's suspicious people into followers.
The Tigers have been amortized since this season after Angel Leas graduated and went to the WNBA.
The easiest non-meeting schedule didn't help reliability either.
LSU's only victory over ranked opponents before SEC play began was in the Bahamas NC State.
Coincidentally, the second-seeded Wolfpack is LSU's third-seeded opponent in Friday's Sweet 16.
The injury hindered LSU in the SEC tournament.
Johnson, with a correct shin injury, sat at the conference tournament, but Morrow injured his leg in the SEC semi-finals in the LSU's loss to Texas on March 8th.
If the Tigers are proven something over the past week, that means they could compete with anyone when they have full power.
“They're all playing really good basketball, they're excited,” coach Kim Mulkey said. “Everyone is about to score. They are trying to share the ball. I think it's fun to get everyone back, everyone is healthy and watch right now.”
Having three dominant players can exercise or become a full bust.
LSU discovered a synergy between Johnson, Moreau and Williams.
“I've played with people like Nationals, and I've never played with two Nationals, but that's completely different,” Johnson said. “The dynamics are very different. They're actually actually trying, so… I've never seen three dominant people… We don't have an ego. We're all pulling for each other.
“And we all know this is Anesa's last year, so we're all making that personal thing a kind of thing.”
North Carolina coach Wes Moore has also admitted that he is “King Dog” of Moreau's team, and that he “can't lose sight of Williams and Frauje.”
“That team has a lot of talent, so you can't keep up with just one player,” Moore said. “That's what they're talking about in the NBA right now. The WNBA has that formula for three great players, great scorers, LSU. So we have to see how the game plays out.”
However, one thing is certain, LSU will go as long as the Start Rio takes it.
