As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament approaches, the college basketball world is buzzing with excitement, and rightfully so. Fans are eager to see which teams will rise to the occasion and stake their claim in the most prestigious postseason in college basketball. However, amidst the anticipation, there’s been a simmering controversy — one that has captured the attention of sports fans, analysts, and players alike. Flau’jae Johnson, the star guard for the LSU Tigers, has made headlines for calling out the NCAA over what she described as a “disrespectful” snub of her team before March Madness.

In a statement that has reverberated across the basketball community, Johnson’s comments shine a light on the inequalities and perceived biases that persist in collegiate athletics. The incident has stirred a wider conversation about how athletes, especially those in women’s sports, are treated by the governing bodies that oversee college athletics. In this blog post, we’ll break down Johnson’s comments, the context behind the controversy, and what this means for LSU, women’s college basketball, and the NCAA as a whole.

The Rise of Flau’jae Johnson

Before diving into the controversy, it’s important to understand who Flau’jae Johnson is and why her comments are so significant. Johnson, a freshman guard for LSU, has quickly become one of the most electrifying players in women’s college basketball. Known for her scoring ability, athleticism, and poise on the court, she has been a standout player for LSU since her debut season.

Her talent is not confined to the hardwood. Johnson is also a burgeoning rapper and entrepreneur, making waves in both the sports and entertainment industries. She’s a unique dual-threat athlete who has proven to be a force both on and off the court. As LSU has ascended to the top of the NCAA women’s basketball scene, much of that success has been thanks to Johnson’s contributions, making her a household name in the world of college hoops.

However, despite her immense talent and the success of the LSU program, Johnson has been outspoken about the ways in which the NCAA has failed to adequately recognize her team’s accomplishments — especially as March Madness draws near.

The Snub That Sparked the Outrage

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament selection committee begins to finalize rankings and seedings for the tournament, it’s common for teams to be scrutinized, debated, and analyzed. The committee’s role is to ensure that the best teams receive favorable positions in the bracket, with the hope of setting up a fair and competitive tournament. However, Johnson took issue with how LSU had been treated in the build-up to the tournament.

In a highly publicized interview, Johnson described the NCAA’s treatment of LSU as “insanity.” She was frustrated by what she perceived as a lack of recognition for her team’s success and her personal performance. Despite LSU’s impressive season and Johnson’s own standout play, the Tigers had been overlooked in the rankings and seeding discussions leading up to March Madness.

Specifically, Johnson pointed to the NCAA’s decision to downplay LSU’s standing in favor of other teams that hadn’t performed as well during the regular season. This, according to Johnson, was an example of disrespect and a pattern of undervaluing LSU, despite the fact that they had demonstrated elite-level basketball all season long. She called it a “snub” — a deliberate oversight of LSU’s achievements — and vowed to use it as motivation for the upcoming tournament.

The Bigger Picture: Disrespect Toward Women’s Sports

Flau’jae Johnson’s comments resonate beyond just the LSU program. Her frustration is emblematic of the larger struggles that female athletes face when it comes to receiving the same recognition and respect as their male counterparts. Women’s sports, despite their growing popularity and increased media attention, often suffer from a lack of resources, recognition, and respect from the governing bodies of college athletics.

For years, there has been a glaring disparity between the treatment of men’s and women’s college sports. This manifests in many ways — from unequal pay and funding to unequal access to facilities and training resources. The NCAA, which oversees both men’s and women’s sports, has been widely criticized for its role in perpetuating these inequalities.

Flau’jae Johnson’s comments are not just about one player or one team; they are part of a broader narrative about how female athletes are often treated as second-class citizens in the sports world. Despite growing efforts to elevate women’s college basketball, the NCAA’s actions — including its treatment of LSU — suggest that there is still significant work to be done to achieve true equality in college sports.

LSU’s Strong Season and Johnson’s Performance

To understand why Johnson and her team feel snubbed, it’s essential to look at LSU’s season leading up to March Madness. The Tigers had an outstanding run during the regular season, racking up a series of impressive wins and proving themselves as one of the top teams in the nation. Johnson’s individual performance also turned heads, with her scoring ability, playmaking, and leadership on the court being key factors in LSU’s success.

In fact, many analysts and fans considered LSU to be a legitimate title contender entering the tournament. Johnson’s dynamic skill set and her ability to take over games made her one of the most exciting players to watch, and she quickly became a fan favorite. However, despite this success, LSU found itself on the receiving end of what Johnson called an “insulting” snub from the NCAA, which led to the guard speaking out.

The snub, as Johnson perceived it, was not just a slight against her team’s accomplishments but also a direct undermining of her hard work and the hard work of her teammates. LSU had earned its place at the top of the rankings, yet the NCAA failed to give them the recognition they deserved.

Why It Matters: Implications for LSU and Women’s College Basketball

Johnson’s comments are not just about a personal grievance; they carry significant weight for the entire women’s college basketball community. LSU’s snub highlights the need for greater equity in the way female athletes are treated, not just in terms of rankings but in all facets of their college sports experience.

If LSU and Johnson are to succeed in March Madness, it will be in spite of the lack of respect they received from the NCAA — not because of it. Johnson’s frustration speaks to a larger issue of systemic biases that continue to plague women’s sports, particularly in the college realm.

For LSU, the snub has provided a unique opportunity for the team to rally around their shared sense of injustice and use it as motivation heading into the tournament. If anything, Johnson’s outcry has the potential to fuel the Tigers’ determination, pushing them to prove the doubters wrong and show the NCAA that they truly belong at the top.

For women’s college basketball as a whole, Johnson’s call-out could help spur further discussions about how the NCAA treats female athletes. With more attention focused on the discrepancies between men’s and women’s college sports, there is a chance to bring about real change that will benefit future generations of women athletes.

Conclusion: Taking Action and Moving Forward

Flau’jae Johnson’s call for accountability from the NCAA is a pivotal moment in women’s sports. Her outspoken stance not only shines a light on the inequalities that persist within college athletics but also underscores the power of athletes to use their platform to advocate for change. While the snub may have been a source of frustration for LSU, it also served as a rallying cry for the team to prove their worth on the national stage.

As March Madness approaches, LSU will no doubt be motivated by the disrespect they’ve faced, but more importantly, the women’s college basketball community will be watching to see if this moment becomes a catalyst for broader change. The NCAA, for its part, must take a hard look at its practices and ensure that all athletes, regardless of gender, are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.

For now, LSU and Flau’jae Johnson will take their frustration and turn it into fuel for an unforgettable March Madness.