JuJu Watkins Leads USC to Victory, Shakes Off Injury Scare in NCAA Tournament Opener
LOS ANGELES – The Galen Center wasn’t exactly transformed into a relaxation lounge on Saturday, but Southern California’s star guard, JuJu Watkins, enjoyed a relatively restful afternoon as the top-seeded Trojans cruised to a dominant 71-25 victory over No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro in the first round of the women’s NCAA tournament. While the game provided a much-needed opportunity for rest, it wasn’t without its moments of concern, particularly an ankle roll that briefly sidelined Watkins.
Watkins, the Trojans’ All-American freshman sensation, logged 28 minutes on the court, a welcome reduction from her team-leading average of 35 minutes per game. Despite the limited playing time, she still managed to leave her indelible mark on the contest, racking up a game-high 22 points, securing eight rebounds, and showcasing her impressive defensive prowess. The reduced workload could prove crucial as the Trojans (31-1) prepare for a second-round matchup on Monday against the winner of the California-Mississippi State game.
The Trojans’ commanding performance allowed head coach Lindsay Gottlieb to provide valuable rest to her starters in the closing minutes. With Southern California firmly in control, Watkins and the rest of the starting five were pulled from the game with 6:18 remaining on the clock.
"We were fortunate that we were able to sit everybody, all the starters down with about 6:30 to go," Gottlieb noted. "JuJu probably hasn’t played under 30 minutes in about a month and a half, or whatever, because the Big Ten season is hard. So I think we earned the right to be in a game where we can rest some people somewhat."
However, Watkins’ time on the bench wasn’t entirely planned. In the third quarter, she suffered an ankle injury while driving to the basket. She rolled her left ankle and was promptly taken out of the game, missing the final 3:39 of the quarter. Despite the scare, she returned to start the fourth quarter and remained on the court until Gottlieb made the decision to remove all of the starters.
Gottlieb emphasized her trust in Watkins and the team’s medical staff when making decisions about her playing time. "I listen to her," Gottlieb explained. "I trust our trainers and I say, ‘You good?’ When she says she’s good, I’m probably not going to shut her down when she says she’s good before it’s time to shut her down."
Adding to the physical challenges, Watkins also appeared to injure her left hand after a fall in the second quarter. However, she remained in the game, massaging her hand and seemingly shaking off the discomfort.
Despite the ankle roll and hand injury, Watkins reassured everyone that she was fine. She arrived at the postgame interview room without a limp and with no visible signs of distress. "I’m all right," she stated confidently. "Don’t worry."
Southern California’s dominant victory was largely attributed to their stifling defense, which held UNC Greensboro to a paltry 13% shooting percentage (7-for-54) from the field. Watkins contributed significantly on the defensive end, recording three of Southern California’s 17 steals.
Gottlieb lauded Watkins’ impact on both ends of the court, describing her as "game changing." "She’s always just had qualities that you can’t teach, instincts, timing, her ability to block shots without fouling, her ability to keep someone in front and make it tough on them," Gottlieb said. She further emphasized the importance of adding knowledge to natural talent. "But what you add over the course of your career…you take those gifts, and then you add knowledge. I feel like that’s what our job is, to try to give them the answers before they take the exam. The greatest players use their instincts, but then they also take whatever the scouting report is and they add that."
While Watkins led the charge, the Trojans received valuable contributions from other players, particularly on defense. Senior post player Rayah Marshall had a standout performance, swatting away seven shots. As a team, the Trojans recorded 10 blocks and altered numerous other shots, making life difficult for UNC Greensboro’s offense.
However, the Trojans’ usually potent offense struggled at times during the game. Southern California shot an underwhelming 37.5% from the floor. Watkins, who was 8-for-17 from the floor, acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles and attributed it to rust after a two-week layoff.
"Hopefully that’s all done with, and we can really head into this next matchup with our best versions of ourselves and play," Watkins said, expressing optimism about the team’s performance in the upcoming second-round game.
The victory over UNC Greensboro showcased the Trojans’ defensive strength and provided an opportunity for key players like Watkins to get some rest. While the ankle injury caused a brief moment of concern, Watkins’ resilience and the team’s overall dominance suggest that Southern California is well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the NCAA tournament. The Trojans will look to refine their offensive execution and maintain their defensive intensity as they aim for a deep tournament run. The performance from Rayah Marshall shows that the team has depth.
