Conference play has been a real rollercoaster ride for LSU. First Kim Mulkey’s team suffered upset losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and she called out her players’ lack of toughness. The two losses caused some serious doubt about LSU’s potential. Then, LSU upset Texas with a 70-65 win. It marked the program’s first win against a top-two team since 2008. The star of the show wasn’t Flau’jae Johnson or MiLaysia Fulwiley. It was Mikaylah Williams.
That and some of her other performances this season pose the question: Is Mikaylah Williams LSU’s most important player and the key to the team’s success?
So far, the answer seems to be a clear yes. That doesn’t mean Johnson and Fulwiley aren’t great players or key pieces to LSU’s success. Williams has been a steady presence this season as one of LSU’s leading scorers and its best playmaker. She also played well in LSU’s biggest games, while Fulwiley and Johnson struggled at times.
Williams is stepping up in a big way in her third season
Mikaylah Williams has always been surrounded by big-time stars, namely Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow, and Flau’jae Johnson. The latter is still there, and Fulwiley also adds her own star power to the mix. Nevertheless, Williams has emerged as the true key to LSU’s success. She is one of the more veteran players on the roster, an almost unstoppable shotmaker, and an improved playmaker.
Williams has also been one of LSU’s more consistent presences this season. She was ready for conference play, recording 26 points on over 50% shooting, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists against Kentucky. She single-handedly outrebounded LSU’s starting frontcourt and led the team in scoring in a game in which Fulwiley struggled to score.
Her performance against Vanderbilt wasn’t as impressive, but she was still one of LSU’s more reliable players—something the team desperately needed with Johnson going 0-4 from the field.
Williams was also the driving force behind LSU’s win over Texas. She scored 20 points on efficient shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists, and got five steals. She also made a big 3-pointer with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter to extend LSU’s lead to seven. Meanwhile, Johnson and Fulwiley both struggled from the floor. They combined to shoot 7-27 from the field.
LSU needs Williams’s consistency to complement Johnson’s and Fulwiley’s talent. Beating Texas was a significant statement, but the trio will have to back it up with strong performances against the other ranked teams on the schedule: Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas (again), South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
This season is also important to prepare Williams for her senior season. By then, Johnson will be in the WNBA, and Williams will have an even bigger role as a leader on and off the court.