Looking at the LSU Lady Tigers this season, it’s clear that Kim Mulkey’s squad is struggling to find its leader. Team staple Angel Reese is no longer on the roster, and without her, LSU has seemingly lost its swagger, grit, and tough, no-nonsense type of basketball.
At the time of publishing, the Tigers are undefeated (12-0), and many wouldn’t bat an eye about a team steamrolling its competition. However, a light non-conference schedule hasn’t quelled the concerns about LSU. For example, there isn’t a ranked team with more 20-turnover games (5) than LSU. Moreover, Mulkey and her staff don’t believe the Lady Tigers have a clear leader.
Per Cory Diaz of the Lafayette Observer, LSU associate coach Bob Starkey expressed concern. “I think we have a void at leadership,” Starkey said. “When you do that, that can affect your team chemistry. We have certain players that want to lead at certain times, and that’s another area where we’re not consistent.”
To Starkey’s point, that couldn’t have been more evident during LSU’s win against Stanford. It took a combination of efforts from players like Mikaylah Williams and Kailyn Gilbert to walk away victorious. The win also included 21 points from Flau’jae Johnson, but she fouled out in overtime.
Transparently, a player of Flau’jae’s caliber can’t be off the floor with such a massive game on the line. It was a silent reminder that without Reese, Flau’jae has yet to step into the full-time leadership role that was left for her. Maybe she doesn’t have to lead the Tigers alone, but it’s clear. This is Flau’jae’s team.
There isn’t any other way around that, and to think otherwise is foolish. No one on the floor can do what she can at both ends or take over quite like she does. LSU is escaping with wins now because its schedule favors that. However, the road will only get more challenging when conference play begins, and until Flau’jae fully steps into the leadership spotlight, LSU will underachieve.
