Flau’jae Johnson more than prepared for defensive challenges awaiting her vs. Iowa

Just hours away from the upcoming LSU women’s basketball vs. Iowa matchup in the 2024 Elite Eight, one of the top questions surrounding the game still involves how the Tigers plan to slow down Caitlin Clark. While we ultimately won’t know until we see it in action, it seems as though sophomore guard Flau’jae Johnson is the woman for the job, and she doesn’t appear to be backing down from the challenge.

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson isn’t afraid of the defensive nightmare that is Caitlin Clark

This isn’t the Flau’jae Johnson of year(s) past. While the talented sophomore guard was primarily known for her offensive ability as a freshman in 2023, she’s taken a major step forward on defense and will likely face her biggest challenge yet this evening vs. Iowa in the Elite Eight.

Through the 2023-24 season, no team in the country has exactly figured out how to stop Hawkeye guard Caitlin Clark, and very few have managed to even slow her down. Averaging an eye-popping 31.7 points and 8.9 assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor, it often feels as though she’s incapable of missing.

Even so, she is still human, and just because it doesn’t happen often, doesn’t mean she’s incapable of being slowed down. For now, it’s just a matter of whether or not coach Kim Mulkey and the Tigers can do exactly that this evening against an incredibly talented Iowa roster.

“Caitlin Clark is a generational player, and she’s not all about threes,” the Tiger head coach said during Sunday’s media availability. “She can pass the ball; she can take you off the dribble. Obviously, our focus will be on her, but not solely on her. Caitlin’s gonna do what she does. You’re not gonna stop her, you just hope that you can contain her a little bit and make sure that you do your job on the other four players.”

Last season, at-the-time senior guard Alexis Morris was entrusted with guarding the elite Iowa guard, and while she wasn’t able to hold her below 30 points, she did an excellent job of at the very least making her life difficult in a largely one-on-one setting.

Just watch Alexis Morris, man

She’s been glued to Caitlin Clark most of the game. She’s mirrored her so freakin well, fought over screens, not bit on pump fakes. What a two way performance pic.twitter.com/yeF2CiVxBt

— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) April 2, 2023

Now, with Morris officially having moved on from women’s college basketball, it’s time for next the woman up, and so far, it sounds like sophomore Flau’jae Johnson is the one to keep an eye on. When asked about matching up against the future WNBA No. 1 overall selection, Johnson didn’t shy away from the challenge.

“I want to compete at the highest level,” the sophomore LSU guard began. “Right now, Caitlin is the highest level, so if I can defend her, try to contain her and get the win, we’ll be fine. There’s no stopping her, but containing her? I’m gonna take on that challenge.”

Every ounce of that confidence is going to be needed this evening, as she’ll be facing one of her biggest challenges of her season. Luckily, Johnson has been lights out all March, and has every reason to be confident right now. Since the start of the month, she’s had some of the best performances of her career, averaging 19.9 points, 2.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game over her last seven appearances.

Now, it’s all about putting it on display on one of the biggest stages in women’s college basketball. The LSU women’s basketball vs. Iowa Elite Eight matchup will be taking place this evening at 6:00 p.m. CST in Albany, NY, and will be available to watch live on ESPN.

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