UConn’s 76-69 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter already elicited reactions. Juju Watkins was not only the projected star on the Trojans side but also the star of the game. But it was 2021 AP Player of the Year Paige Bueckers who stole the show tonight. She turned the tide in UConn’s favor, ending the game 80-73. Even before the game ended, Watkins was being subjected to the ire of fans for not being the phenom fans have gotten accustomed to.

Watkins had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists in 39 minutes despite Bueckers guarding her like a wall. The Huskies guard nearly matched her with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in 40 minutes. Moreover, Juju made history as she now has the most points scored by a freshman in Division I history. A tough fight and a historic night didn’t cushion the result, though. Watkins was visibly emotional after her team missed out on their first Final Four berth in almost 4 decades.

While Watkins had 29 points on the night, Bueckers did a decent job on the Trojans’ superstar down the stretch. She had only 1 made field goal in the final 5 minutes of the contest, which proved to be pivotal.

Despite losing, NBA stars past and present like Damian Lillard and Gilbert Arenas have been heaping her with praise. Yet others aren’t sharing the sentiments. Some social media users especially, are placing the blame for USC’s loss on her. The scrutiny on the 18-year-old is not the most pleasant.

Fans dissect Juju Watkins’ failure

Watkins started strong and led the scores for the Trojans. By most accounts it felt like the focus was entirely on Watkins and Bueckers and everyone else was the supporting cast. Apparently, that became too glaring for fans to ignore.

In the second quarter, Juju made a huge three over Bueckers who’s had an injury-ridden season so far. That was her 899th point in the season, the most scored by a freshman in D1 history since Tina Hutchinson’s 1983-84 campaign. Nonetheless, one fan commented, “Juju Watkins need to pass the f****n ball.”

The teen made 13 points on an impressive 4 of 8 shooting and going 3-3 on free throws in the first half. Lillard said that she stood out like Carmelo Anthony at Syracuse and passing her the ball would mean winning. The results at the end said otherwise.

Watkins was the strongest hope for keeping USC’s Final Four hopes alive. Bueckers’ experience was UConn’s best answer to the scoring phenom. Tied at 33-33 at halftime, the second half was when it was turning into the Huskies show with a swift 8-0 run. The USC freshman couldn’t close the nailbiter till the end and missed out on her first attempt at a Final Four berth.

While the Huskies were dazzling in the second half, Watkins was struggling. Frustrations boiled over to X in the third quarter with fans’ urgency to catch up.

The Trojans haven’t won the title since 1984. Juju Watkins was projected to end that drought. But she’s still a freshman and has more shots at accomplishing that.

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