"You're not making stuff happen": Kim Mulkey gets real with Flau'jae Johnson's teammate after LSU destroys NC State

On Nov. 25, LSU survived what was an intense 68-67 win against Washington. Two days later, the Tigers returned to top form with an 82-65 drubbing of NC State.

The parallels in competitiveness and tenacity have had Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey try out a multitude of starting lineups and rotations. For a team that has lost key personnel to the WNBA and transfer portal, Mulkey has been attempting to get the point guard position right.

She landed on veteran Last-Tear Poa as the opening facilitator in the victory over NC State. The switch came after transferee Shayeann Day-Wilson started LSU's last three games beforehand.

Mulkey eventually played Poa for just four minutes while bringing Day-Wilson in for 35. She reasoned the senior guard had been holding her game back and called her out for it, per NOLA.com.

"I know you want to distribute the ball. That's part of your job as a quarterback out there, but you're passing up jumpers at the foul line," Mulley expressed.

"You're not penetrating. You're not making stuff happen. You're playing very conservative. Just go ball," she asserted.

Against the Huskies in the 2024 Baha Mar Pink Flaming Championship, Day-Wilson went 0-for-4 from the field, finishing with no points. She was passive early but ultimately produced seven assists in 19 minutes.

During the NC State game, Day-Wilson was much more aggressive, putting up a near triple-double of seven points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.

This type of performance is exactly what Mulkey needs for her to make a clearer decision on the starting role.

Shayeann Day-Wilson to develop chemistry with teammates like Flau'jae Johnson

Shayeann Day-Wilson going for a crossover. (Image Credits: Stephen Lew - Imagn)

Considering Day-Wilson is playing out her first year as a Tiger, she'll need to find synergy with her teammates, such as homegrown talent Flau'jae Johnson.

Johnson has spent her last three years at LSU. For the 2024-2025 season, she is averaging 22.4 points, 7.1 boards, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 steals as a key cog with experience from LSU's 2023 NCAA Championship run. Day-Wilson has struggled with 3.6 points, 3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game but appears to be finding her form after Mulkey's latest critique.

Day-Wilson will hope to see better numbers when the Tigers face NC Central on Dec. 1 at home.