When USC entered their Elite Eight matchup against UConn, they knew it was going to be a battle. But they weren’t just up against Paige Bueckers and the Huskies—they were fighting without their biggest weapon. Juju Watkins, the freshman phenom who had carried the Trojans all season, was sidelined with a devastating ACL tear suffered in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. USC’s championship hopes took a massive hit the moment she went down. But even without their generational talent, the Trojans refused to fold. They showed up. They competed. And they made it clear they weren’t going down without a fight. But as the game unfolded, it became clear that their toughest opponent might not even be UConn. It was the officiating. And this was what fans called a second heartbreak.

Well, they had their reasons too. When the brackets were revealed, they had circled this matchup, dreaming of a showdown between two of the biggest stars in women’s basketball—Watkins vs. Bueckers, a battle for a Final Four spot. But that dream was crushed the moment Watkins went down against Mississippi State.

Still, this was USC—the No. 1 seed for a reason. They had gone 31-3, dominated the Pac-12, and had the depth to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Even as underdogs without their leader, they weren’t about to back down.

Then the whistles started.

By halftime, USC trailed 39-25, not because they weren’t playing hard, but because of the way the game was being called. Fans watching at home couldn’t ignore it. While UConn played just as aggressively, the Huskies seemed to get away with contact that USC players were getting called for.

Social media erupted. “Refs want UConn to win. Oh well, still had a great season. See you next season,” one fan posted, echoing the frustration of many.

For the Trojans, the fight wasn’t just against UConn—it was against the odds. And for fans, it was a bitter pill to swallow.