The University of Southern California (USC) Trojans women’s basketball team has had an impressive 2024–2025 season, marking their inaugural year in the Big Ten Conference. Under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, the team secured the Big Ten regular-season championship with a 17–1 conference record and an overall 29–3 record.
Key Player: JuJu Watkins
Sophomore guard JuJu Watkins has been instrumental in the Trojans’ success. Averaging 24.6 points per game, she earned preseason Big Ten Player of the Year honors. In their NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State, Watkins suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter. She was attended to by Coach Gottlieb and the medical staff before being helped off the court.
Season Highlights
- NCAA Tournament Performance: USC entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed for the first time since 1986. They won their first-round game against UNC Greensboro but faced challenges in the second round due to Watkins’ injury.
- Historic Achievement: Watkins surpassed USC women’s basketball legend Pam McGee on the program’s all-time scoring list, further cementing her status as a key player in the team’s history.
Looking Ahead
As the Trojans continue their postseason journey, the status of JuJu Watkins’ injury will be pivotal. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring updates to assess how her potential absence might impact USC’s performance in the tournament.