This is USC’s deepest tournament run in 25 years. Can you believe it? The wins have been stacking up all season, especially on their home court. But, in the second round against Mississippi State, for the first time this year, the Galen Center fell completely silent. Why? Because the Trojans’ heartbeat, JuJu Watkins, was on the floor, clutching her knee. And just like that, the sophomore curse struck again, and her season was over due to an ACL tear. So, you’d think USC was done too, right? Well, think again! The Trojans are still rolling, just with Watkins supporting from a different spot now.

A team has two choices when it loses a player of JuJu’s caliber: fall apart or come together. USC chose the latter. At least for now. The Trojans dug deep and found a way to win their first game without their star, battling every possession, scrapping for buckets, and refusing to back down against Kansas State. 

Kennedy Smith (19 points) and Avery Howell (18 points) both tied their season highs, stepping up when it mattered most. And Kiki Iriafen snagged the rebound of the night with 32 seconds left, sealing a gritty 67-61 victory for the No. 1-seeded Trojans. When the final buzzer sounded, the players celebrated like they’d just won the national championship.

And honestly, in many ways, this was their biggest win yet. But you know, JuJu was right there with them—digitally, though.

Kiki Iriafen told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews that Watkins FaceTimed the team in the locker room, screaming and celebrating like she was courtside. Before the game, she even sent a heartfelt text hyping them up. Oh, and she hosted a watch party at her apartment too. 

And the efforts are mutual. While the sophomore guard is expected to undergo surgery and be out for the majority of the 2025-26 season, the Trojans have found multiple ways to keep her with them. The team has kept a Funko Pop of Watkins on the bench against the Wildcats. Decked out in a Trojans jersey and rocking her signature bun, Funko JuJu was keeping watch over the game.

And before tipoff, the entire squad showed up in matching Nike tees with JuJu’s face on them. “We got her back,” coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “We know her imprints are all over this program, and we are going to channel her energy and fight for USC.” Truly said, many were excited to watch Watkins continue her stellar season, in which she averaged 24.6 points, and potentially lead the Trojans to their first national championship in 41 years.

“My mom played basketball at Santa Clara, so I’ve kind of been tapped into the tournament,” said Claire Swendsen, a fan who is in Spokane, Washington, for the other half of the Sweet 16. “I have planned on attending one of UConn’s and one of USC’s games. This kind of puts a damper on the SC game.”

And well, UConn vs USC is happening. This was supposed to be THE showdown. We were excited to see “Paige vs. JuJu,” two of the biggest stars in women’s hoops going head-to-head for a Final Four berth. Instead, we got to see Paige Bueckers consoling the 19-year-old, and as for the game, it’s on Watkins’ squad to step up and try to slow down the Huskies.

However, Huskies coach Geno Auriemma is still not looking down on the Trojans and even thinks that the idea that USC simply leaned on Watkins is disrespectful.

Geno Auriemma gets real on JuJu Watkins’s absence and Final Four

The NCAA bracket lined it up perfectly—Paige Bueckers’ UConn vs. JuJu Watkins’ USC in the Elite Eight. That was the dream matchup. But obviously, things look a little different. Even so, both squads did their job, avoiding upsets to get here. 

And while fans might feel robbed of the Bueckers-Watkins showdown, UConn coach Geno Auriemma made one thing clear—USC isn’t just JuJu. “That’s kind of disrespectful to the other teams, you know?” Auriemma said, shutting down the idea that Watkins was the only reason USC made it this far.  

“So we certainly have never made it about that,” the coach admitted. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Southern California wins the National Championship and shows the character that those kids have.” True that. Because most importantly, they still got Iriafen. She has averaged 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds this season and was even named to the First Team All-Big Ten. Not to forget, she dominates on both ends of the court.

Now, with the Final Four just one win away, she will surely step up more. Speaking of Final Four, Auriemma also highlighted what’s at stake. And when asked what he told his team heading into Monday’s showdown, he didn’t sugarcoat it. “You’ve worked 365 days for this moment,” he said. “You’re knocking on the door of the Final Four, the one thing every kid wants. And when you’re that close, that’s when it gets you.”  

Before walking off, he hit his players with one final reminder, “I don’t care who we’re playing, this game is a b—-, and don’t talk about the Final Four.”  So, yes, this is going to be a battle. And whether it’s UConn or USC, someone’s making that final step. Who will handle the pressure better?