“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,” said Elle Duncan after JuJu Watkins sustained her major injury. What was supposed to be an easy trip to the Sweet 16 for the USC Trojans turned into a nightmare when, as 4:43 minutes remained in the 1st quarter of the USC-Mississippi game, Watkins collided with two rival players, fell and sustained a knee sprain. After Shams Charania reported that JuJu Watkins has sustained a torn ACL in her right knee, one thing was clear: this was the end of the March Madness run for the star player this year. Amidst the disappointment, the Trojans squad is now left with a major doubt: What’s next?

With JuJu Watkins down, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will have to use some other shoes to fill the created gap. Mind you, it is a big gap, since Watkins had averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the recent college season. She was the hope, the beacon for the Trojan’s women’s squad to win the first NCAA championship since 1984. Her absence is going to change things around. So, yes, pressure!

According to a USA Today article by Meghan L. Hall, Lindsay Gottlieb might depend on forward Kiki Iriafen during this uncertain period. At 22 years of age, Iriafen is among the senior most players on the team. She had recently concluded her 4th collegiate season. However, she had played her first 3 seasons for the Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team. During her junior season, the partnership between her and now WNBA star Cameron Brink garnered attention. Iriafen produced her career-best stat line of 19.4 points and 11 rebounds per matchup that season. She did it after having averaged only 4.2 points and 6.7 points in her previous two years.

With one year of eligibility left, Iriafen was already reportedly projected as a lottery pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. While the real reason behind her decision was not made public knowledge, she eventually joined USC through the transfer portal for her final year

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. According to reports, she mostly stayed in the background while JuJu Watkins led the team forward. She was the Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan. She set herself on the offensive front by providing a timely bucket when called up, if Watkins was struggling. It wasn’t a role she complained about, since it yielded memorable results.

“[She] doesn’t have to expect herself to come in every single night and try to carry a team,” said Iriafen earlier. “I wanted it to be like—we want you to dominate, and you’re going to dominate, but if you need somebody, I’m right here.”

Now, No.2 might go on to be promoted to No.1. According to reports, Kiki Iriafen’s efficiency inside the paint might push Gottlieb to play inside-out. The player would be fed 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.

On the offensive front, ESPN’s expected No. 3 WNBA Draft Pick seems to have a handle. Similarly, she has a hold on the leadership front too. After all, Iriafen was there to calm any doubters during this tumultuous period.

Kiki Iriafen feels confident USC will win despite JuJu Watkins’ absence: “nobody…. cares that we lost her”

After JuJu Watkins exited the USC-Mississippi game in the 1st quarter, the remaining quarters were the first big test to see whether Kiki Iriafen can lead the team or not. The experienced athlete did step up, and in a big way. Iriafen scored 36 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. 31 of those points were made in just three quarters. She was just one rebound shy of a double-double, but it did not matter much. After all, Iriafen had set a USC program record for points in an NCAA Tournament game, and finished just five points off her career-high of 41. While Watkins’ absence reflected during the post-game presser, Iriafen used her own score, and that of her other teammates, to highlight just how far the Trojans can go.

“It’s hard when you have such a key player not with you,” said Iriafen. “At the end of the day, we have to win the game. Respectfully, no one cares on Mississippi State that we lost [JuJu]. I think for us, it was making sure we got the job done. We wanted our season to be extended. Really rallying and doing whatever we can to get out of Galen.”

In regards to the upcoming games, Iriafen had a set mindset. She stated, “We’re not losing. We’re not losing in Galen. We’re getting to Spokane. It’s my senior year and I didn’t want it to end today so I think that was my motivating factor.”

If Iriafen pulls this through, she might even become the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. At a time when it felt that all hope is lost for the USC Trojans squad, the confidence displayed by Iriafen indicates that the team’s fighting days are not over yet.