LSU's Flau'jae Johnson Focuses on Defense and Rebounds for March Madness Run

The senior guard shares her 'choose better' motto as LSU aims for another NCAA title.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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LSU Tigers guard Flau'jae Johnson has a two-word motto guiding her March Madness run - 'choose better'. The senior says this mantra applies to every facet of her life, from mental preparation to body recovery. After LSU stumbled early in SEC play, Johnson says the team had to come together, look in the mirror and rediscover their identity as a defensive-minded, rebounding squad. Now, Johnson believes LSU's path to the Final Four and a title rests on their ability to play lockdown defense and dominate the boards.

Why it matters

Johnson's 'choose better' mentality and LSU's renewed focus on defense and rebounding could be the keys to the Tigers making a deep NCAA Tournament run. As a senior leader on the defending national champions, Johnson's approach and the team's identity will be crucial in navigating the high-pressure environment of March Madness.

The details

Following back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt to open SEC play, Johnson says LSU had to come together as a team and rediscover their identity. The Tigers responded by winning 10 of their next 12 games, including several ranked wins. Johnson credits the team's improved defense and rebounding as the driving forces behind their turnaround. She believes if LSU can continue to lock down opponents and control the glass, the offense will take care of itself as they make a push for another national title.

  • LSU opened SEC play with losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt in early January 2026.
  • After the two losses, LSU won 10 of their next 12 games, including a 78-70 comeback victory over Ole Miss in which they held the Rebels to just 7 points in the fourth quarter.
  • LSU has two regular season games remaining, against Tennessee on Thursday and Mississippi State on Sunday, before the SEC Tournament begins on March 4.

The players

Flau'jae Johnson

A senior guard for the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, known for her 'choose better' motto and focus on defense and rebounding as the team aims for another NCAA championship.

LSU Tigers

The defending national champion women's basketball team, looking to make another deep NCAA Tournament run led by senior guard Flau'jae Johnson.

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What they’re saying

“Choose better in every facet of my life: my mental, my preparation, my body. What I put into my body is very important to me. It's just choosing better in everything that I do, especially as an athlete.”

— Flau'jae Johnson, LSU Tigers Guard (USA TODAY)

“Who do you wanna be? What kind of team do you wanna be? What kind of player do you want to be? As we just decided that and we came to a consensus, I think we just learned who we wanted to be and our identity ... that being a team and seeing each other win and making that extra pass and rebounding the ball, that's who we are. We just gotta understand that and get back to that.”

— Flau'jae Johnson, LSU Tigers Guard (USA TODAY)

What’s next

LSU has two regular season games remaining before the SEC Tournament begins on March 4. The Tigers will need to maintain their focus on defense and rebounding to build momentum for a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The takeaway

Flau'jae Johnson's 'choose better' mindset and LSU's renewed emphasis on stifling defense and dominating the glass could be the formula for the Tigers to repeat as national champions. If they can lock in on those fundamentals, the offense will follow and LSU will be a tough out in March Madness.