LSU's approach to "containing" Caitlin Clark in title game rematch

The 2023 NCAA Championship broke records for viewership last year as LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 in Dallas, Texas. Caitlin Clark scored 30 points on 9-of-22 shooting with eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with LSU’s hot shooting night as the Tigers went 11-of-17 from 3-point range.

Now, Clark returns for her final shot at a title, while LSU eyes a repeat with the return of Angel Reese and Flau’Jae Johnson. The surrounding pieces have changed, but at its core, this still feels like a clash of two of the biggest talents and personalities in the sport.

“Well, the biggest piece that is the same is Caitlin Clark. The difference is the [rest of the] personnel,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said. “The difference is those that were role players last year are now big players, which is what all coaches hope, is that you respect the process, and when your time arrives, you take advantage of it. They’re still going to shoot a lot of threes. But Caitlin Clark is a generational player. She’s not all about threes. She can pass the ball. She can take you off the dribble. Caitlin is going to do what she does. You’re not going to 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 year, it was Alexis Morris who had the primary task of defending Clark and she was able to make her uncomfortable enough for LSU to take control. Last-Tear Poa also spent some time defending her effectively.

Clark remembers the game and how she played in the loss. Now, she’s intent on being better and changing her approach against another LSU team with high-level intensity.

“I think I took 19 threes and 22 shots total versus LSU the last time we played them,” Clark said. “So not settling and falling in love with my three-point shot, being able to get into the paint, drive into the paint, I think that allows my teammates to get open. They’re going to either have to collapse and make a decision, or I’m going to be able to finish at the rim. I think that’ll be another key going into this game is not falling in love with my three-point shot, whether it’s on, whether it’s off, whatever it is, being able to score at all three levels, but also that helps set my teammates up a lot, too.”

Clark is an all-time scorer as well as an elite passer, making her a nightmare matchup for opponents.

Flau’Jae Johnson has also been a terror over the past month, putting the nation on notice with a 24-point outing in LSU’s Sweet 16 win over UCLA on Saturday. Johnson is expected to be the primary defender on Clark, setting up for a fascinating matchup on the perimeter that could decide who advances to the Final Four.

“She’s just a great player,” Johnson said. “Last year I got to switch on her early in the game, and I was like, she’s not going to pull that for real, and then she pulled it for real from half court, and she made it. I was like, whoa. Kind of had spurts and moments getting in switches with her. I want to compete at the highest level, and 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 going to take on that challenge.”