A season of uncalled hiccups for USC. A No.1 seed they did secure, but as the 4th overall and at the cost of facing UConn– the very team that sent them packing from Elite Eight last season. A trip to the Sweet 16 they now landed, but at the cost of its star player JuJu Watkins. A frontrunner in the NPOY race, a second-leading scorer by average nationally, and a second-time All-American. That’s who the Trojans are going to miss as the Huskies steamroll. Two seconds, a thud, and loud gasps. What has the scene come to mean?

4:43 minutes remained in the 1st quarter when Watkins made a run for the basket on the break. Two defenders from the rival team, including Chandler Prater, attempted to block Watkins. This led to a collision, due to which the star player fell and sustained a knee sprain. The visuals that followed next of her grabbing her right knee and grimacing made it clear that good news was not in store for Trojans fans. As it turns out, that is what happened.

According to Shams Charania, JuJu Watkins has suffered a torn ACL in her right knee. This major ailment will require the young player to undergo surgery. As a result, Watkins could be ‘OUT’ of the main lineup for at least 6 months. While her exact return date is uncertain, one thing is clear: the Trojans squad will have to have their March Madness run without its star player.

The fact that the majority of the people in the arena went silent as Watkins grimaced in pain highlighted the effect that the mere thought of the player suffering from a major injury had on the basketball community. “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying,” coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.

JuJu Watkins’s absence from March Madness will be a crushing blow. After all, having averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the recent college season, the guard was the hope for the Trojan’s women’s squad to win the first NCAA championship since 1984. Her absence is going to change things around, not just for USC.

“We’re just gonna address the elephant in the room, this totally sucks…I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say this not only changed the tenor of this game but potentially the tournament,” Elle Duncan spoke for majority. That meant, Gottlieb & Co. is left to figure out some things.

How can the USC Trojans squad proceed without JuJu Watkins?

Whoever is chosen to replace Juju Watkins has some huge shoes to fill.

Forward Kiki Iriafen is one player who head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will likely call on. During the 2024-25 season, Iriafen averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. She shot 6.9-13.9 (49.5%) field goals, 0.1-0.4 (33.3%) three-pointers, and 4.2-5.1 (81.6%) free throws. Her efficiency inside the paint might push Gottlieb to play inside-out, feeding Iriafen in the paint for quick, easy points, exploiting matchups, and pushing her to lean into her rim protection duties. On top of that, Gottlieb might also rely on Iriafen for more mid-range jump shots to help cover Watkins’ production.

Along with Iriafen, other players that might be on Gottlieb’s radar right now include Oregon State transfer Talia von Oelhoffen. Being an outsider, she can fit into the point guard duties, since others might have been well-accustomed to their roles. Plus, the 6.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists Oelhoffen averaged in the recent season speaks well for her. While she is not the defender that Watkins is, she can still efficiently handle that front.

If not Oelhoffen, then USC might turn to freshman Kennedy Smith, who is also good on both sides of the ball. Along with other options, one would be remiss to not mention Watkins’ current backup, Malia Samuels! Do you believe the USC Trojans still have a shot at the NCAA title without Watkins? Let us know in the comments.