LSU star Flau’jae Johnson’s reputation has been built on doing it all. She’s a fierce NCAA champion, an electrifying rapper, and an ambassador for the multidimensional athlete. Simply put, she has thrived by refusing to fit into a single mold. But, let’s be honest, she’s a human, too. And if you ask fans, the team’s coach might be overexerting her to exhaustion.

The complaints arose during the team’s January 9 clash against the Lady Vols. While the Tigers clinched a 89-87 victory, many eyes were on Johnson, or in particular her “DEAD TIRED” state. But before we get to that…

Notably, LSU (18-0, 3-0 in SEC) became the third team, besides UCLA and Ohio State, to stay undefeated in women’s college basketball. And the game was as electrifying as it could get. Through eight lead changes and seven ties, LSU was able to maintain a 18-point lead in the first half. However, the Lady Vols mounted a valiant comeback and overcame the second-quarter deficit, taking the lead midway through the fourth.

As for Flau’jae, she was one of the four Tigers players to finish with double figures. Aneesah Morrow led the march with 23-point, 21 rebound double-double, followed by Kailyn Gilbert with 22 points and five rebounds, Johnson with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 40.9% shooting, while Mikaylah Williams concluded with 16 points, and three rebounds. But the star was definitely Gilbert…

With twenty seconds left in regulation, and the score tied 87-87, Gilbert got the ball and patiently waited for her turn. She switched hands midway through her last-second attempt and pulled off a crowd-puller with merely 0.7 seconds left on the clock. Reacting to the masterclass, Mulkey opined in a post-game press conference, “People might look at it and say that’s a lucky shot. I can assure you it wasn’t.”

Johnson, on the other hand, received some stiff competition from Vols’ Talaysia Cooper, who she was assigned to guard. At one point, as the Tigers player attempted to put one in the basket, Cooper timed her rotation, and neutralized Johnson, leading the latter to lose her balance and fall on the court. “Monster block 😤🫣,” wrote one X user describing the incident. Mulkey, though, couldn’t be more appreciative of her 21-year-old superstar. “Well, she shot it 23 times, four turnovers, that’s about as good as we can guard. I thought Flau’jae did tremendous on her. That’s who was assigned to her,” she said. But not everyone will agree, it seems…

Safe to say that fans didn’t mince any words when rallying against the coach…

Fans call for less pressure on Flau’jae Johnson

As soon as people learned about Johnson’s performance, they couldn’t hold back and took to the comment section. “Flau’jae is DEAD TIRED. You can’t ask her to guard Ruby and Cooper all game,” wrote a user on X.

It seemed spectators were concerned about a fatigued Johnson during the game. All this came when Johnson played 37 minutes in the game.

“I’m telling you, she’s leaving her on them the whole game. I’ve seen Flau’jae be gassed out, and Kim not sub her out. Kim is stubborn,” added another user.

However, all her contributions turned out well for LSU as the team returned with a staggering 89-87 win against Tennessee’s women’s basketball team. “Flau’jae can’t guard her. Pls play Mjracle,” wrote a user. “Flau’jae girl, pass the ball,” added another, addressing Johnson to pass the ball.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Johnson. She’s proven time and again that she’s capable of rising to the occasion. Last season, her performances in March Madness were pivotal, averaging 20.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during LSU’s Elite Eight run. But then again, the question comes down to: Is Johnson really overexerting herself?

“I’m saying, Kim is so silly with that. Especially when that’s Tenn’s plan,” added another user. But with great visibility comes great responsibility.

For now, Kim Mulkey appears unbothered, choosing to focus on the bigger picture. But as fans and analysts scrutinize LSU’s performances more closely, Johnson will need to silence the doubters with the same energy and joy that made her a star in the first place.

After all, in the world of college basketball, there’s no room for complacency—even when you’re chasing a second national title.