What should have been yet another top-tier SEC battle Friday evening, took an unexpected turn post-game. South Carolina had snapped LSU’s ‘unbeaten tag’ for the second time in three years, had maintained their position atop the SEC rankings, and had Kim Mulkey admit they were the best team in the country. The choice of song to commemorate the moment, however, hit way too close home for Tiger guard, Flau’jae Johnson and not in a good way. 

On her Best of Both Worlds with Flau’jae podcast, the rapper aired out her frustration after having only made a tweet about it previously. “I ain’t gonna lie, this really hit me different,” she started. “Like, even hearing it in the arena, if you go back and look, I mean, if you could see me on camera, I was heated. Like, holding back tears.” 

South Carolina’s DJ, who goes by the stage name DJ T.O., had played the song “Cut Friends” by Camouflage after their win. The artist happens to be Johnson’s late father, Jason, who was murdered six months before she was born. So it just did not sit right with the Big 4, who took to X to let that be known. “This just nasty behavior. Nun funny bout that,” she had written after the DJ had shared an Instagram story, acknowledging the song choice and writing “my bad,” along with a crying laughing emoji.

Johnson had initially let it go, she reveals, stating, she understood it was South Carolina just being funny. But watching the DJ’s story tipped her off. Even the official apology failed to tame the furious Johnson. “[apology] didn’t say nothing to me,” she notes. The DJ had expressed it was never her intent to disrespect anyone or offend anyone, and that part of her job was to ensure people were having fun. Given the song is over 20 years old, the LSU Tiger says she isn’t buying it. But that is where she is limiting her frustrations to.

Though the loss to Gamecocks left her sleepless that night and the incident added to the situation, she has no grudge against South Carolina or Dawn Staley. “I don’t have no bad blood towards nobody. I don’t have no bad blood towards South Carolina or Dawn,” she asserts.

The program was quick to issue an apology after the incident and suspend the DJ for a game. While Johnson still continues to believe it was disrespectful, she has made her peace with it. And well, she’s channeling her energy on the court instead.

Flau’jae Johnson looks for momentum as LSU bounces back

Having ridden on an unbeaten season, Flau’jae Johnson wasn’t ready for what was to come her way in the clash against South Carolina. She had put up 13 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist to get the Tigers to 56, their lowest score of the season. The loss, she admits, left her pissed and sleepless. But the Tigers were back to work in a jist, studying the film, analysing their good points, and noting the fixables, and in less than 48 hours, they had their next win.

Against Texas A&M, she put up 22 points to lead the team in scoring and secure their 21st win of the season. Though the team struggled with fatigue and foul troubles, they managed to maintain a lead in the second quarter to finish 64-51. That’s a momentum Johnson wants to keep at.

“We just got to keep the momentum going so that when the games really mean something in the NCAA tournament, we can make the most out of it,” she highlighted. And well, they were successful in the first step. Despite Oklahoma’s early lead in the top-15 matchup, Tigers bounced back to maintain a complete dominance in the second half. The Big 4 added 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Mikaylah Williams led the night with 37 points. In the process, LSU made a season-high 12 3-pointers.

The Tigers next host Mississippi State on Sunday. Eyes on the title, keeping the frustrations at bay seems to be the answer for Flau’jae Johnson.