[1] #4 USC (31-3) vs. [2] #3 UConn (34-3)
Spokane Arena | Spokane, Wash | Monday, March 31 | 6 p.m.
Series Record [since 2002-03]: USC trails 1-3
Last Meeting: W 72-70 [12/21/24 • Hartford, Conn.]
WATCH: ESPN (Talent: Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe)
LISTEN: Westwood One / Sirius Ch. 211 / XM Ch. 204 / ESPNLA Radio
THIS WEEK
Having matched its most wins in a season since 1986 into its second straight NCAA Elite Eight, No. 1 seed USC (31-3) faces No. 2 seed UConn (34-3) at 6 p.m. on Monday (March 31) in Spokane, Wash. USC beat UConn 72-70 earlier this season in Hartford, Conn., in a clash that was a rematch of the teams’ 2024 Elite Eight meeting, which the Huskies won 80-73 in Portland, Ore.
FOLLOW ALONG
USC’s NCAA Elite Eight game against UConn will be televised on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call along with sideline reporter Holly Rowe. Westwood One will also provide national audio broadcasts with Sam Neidermann and Mary Murphy on the call. All of USC’s games also are available live on ESPN radio and with audio streamed at USCTrojans.com/listen and the USC Trojans GameDay app with Eli Kleinmann on the radio calls.
NCAA NOTES
• USC is now 35-16 in the NCAA Tournament, with two NCAA title victories (1983 and 1984). • This is the Trojans’ 19th trip to the NCAA Tournament. • This is the first time USC has advanced as one of the final eight teams in the NCAA tournament in consecutive years since the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons. • USC’s No. 1 seed in 2025 is its sixth top seed all-time; USC was also a No. 1 seed in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 2024. • This is the first time since 1982-84 that USC has earned consecutive NCAA No. 1 seeds. • USC’s is making a third consecutive NCAA appearance for the first time a five-year run from 1991-95. • An automatic qualifier as Pac-12 Tournament champion last season, USC was a No. 1 seed in the 2024 NCAA tourney for the first time since 1986, reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994 and falling to UConn.
• Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament — UC Santa Barbara (2009), California (seven appearances in eight seasons) and USC (2023, 2024 & 2025).
• USC has played 14 other teams in the 68-team field of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, posting a 13-4 record against those opponents this season [No. 1 seed UCLA (2-1), No. 2 seed UConn (1-0), No. 3 seed Notre Dame (0-1), No. 4 seed Maryland (1-0), No. 4 seed Ohio State (1-0), No. 6 seed Iowa (0-1), No. 6 seed Michigan (2-0), No. 7 seed Michigan State (1-0), No. 8 seed Illinois (1-0), No. 9 seed Indiana (2-0), No. 10 seed Nebraska (1-0), No. 10 seed Oregon (1-0) and No. 11 Washington (1-0). • USC is one of 12 Big Ten teams in this year’s NCAA bracket.
IN THE POLLS
USC is ranked No. 4 in the latest AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls (as of March 17). The Trojans were ranked No. 3 in both the AP and USA TODAY preseason polls and the national polls for the first three weeks of the 2024-25 season, marking their highest preseason ranking since 1984, when USC opened at No. 1 after winning back-to-back national championships. USC’s No. 2 national ranking in the week of March 4 marked the program’s highest ranking since Dec. 30, 1984 when it also was No. 2. USC finished last season ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll.
QUICK HITS
• At 31-3, USC has its most wins since 1986 and best record through 33 games since the 1982-83 season when USC finished 31-2. • USC’s back-to-back seasons with 23 regular-season wins was last achieved in 1983 and 1984. • USC’s 19-1 start to the season was its best since the 1981-82 season • Its 9-0 start in conference play was its best since the 1993-94 season. • USC won eight straight games against AP-ranked opponents this season from Dec. 21-March 1. • USC’s 15-game win streak during this season was its longest since the 1982-83 season. • The Trojans have recorded wins streaks of 10 or more straight games during back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons. • The Trojans are 5-2 against top-10 opponents this season and 3-0 in road games vs. top-10 opponents. • The last time USC was 3-0 in road games vs. top-10 opponents was 1982-83. • USC’s win over UCLA on Feb. 13 was its second over an AP No. 1 opponent in program history — previous was in 1983.
• Lindsay Gottlieb earned her 300th career victory as a head coach in USC’s on Nov. 12 (123-39 vs. CSUN).
• Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins became just the second USC duo to score 30-plus points each in a game with their efforts vs. SLU on Nov. 29. [The first was Lisa Leslie and Tammy Story vs. Texas on Nov. 25, 1990.] • Iriafen scored her 1,500th career point during USC’s win at Washington on Feb. 16. • Watkins scored her 1,000th career point on Nov. 15 vs. Santa Clara, becoming the fastest player in USC history to reach the 1,000-point mark in her career (38 games). • The previous record was 48 games — set by Cheryl Miller in 1983-84. • Watkins’s 1,000 points in 38 games is the second fastest in Division 1 women’s basketball history. She is the third player to hit the mark in 38 games, behind three other players who did it in 37. • Watkins is the 30th Trojan to score 1,000 points at USC. • Watkins became the 13th Trojan to score 1,500 career points with her 38 scored vs. UCLA on Feb. 13. • With 1,709 career points, Watkins ranks No. 9 all-time in scoring at USC. • Watkins broke the USC single-game 3-point record with nine 3-pointers made vs. CBU on Dec. 3.
• Rayah Marshall scored her 1,000th career point on Nov. 9 vs. Cal Poly. She became the 29th USC player to have scored 1,000 or more points as a Trojan.
• On Jan. 5, Marshall collected her 1,000th career rebound, making her one of only eight Trojans to have scored 1,000 points along with 1,000 rebounds at USC. • Marshall ranks No. 3 all-time at USC in career blocks (304) and No. 7 in career rebounds (1,135). • USC has recorded two 100-plus point games this season — the most since two in 1993-94. • USC’s 124 points scored vs, CSUN is the most points in a game in program history. • The 85-point win vs, CSUN is USC’s largest margin of victory in history. • USC’s 124 points vs, CSUN is the second most in Big Ten history, behind Purdue’s 129 vs. Kent St. (12/8/90). • USC’s win over No. 20 Ole Miss on Nov. 4 marked the first time in program history that the Trojans have played and beaten ranked opponents in back-to-back season openers.
• Also in that Nov. 4 win, USC had two players record double-doubles (Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins) in a season opener for the first time since 2010 (Briana Gilbreath and Christina Marinacci vs. Gonzaga).
SWEET SIXTEEN SUCCESS
Freshmen Kayleigh Heckel, Avery Howell and Kennedy Smith combined for 45 points in helping to lead the USC through a hard-fought 67-61 win over No. 5 seed Kansas State in the NCAA Sweet 16. Playing without injured national player of the year JuJu Watkins, the Trojans stepped up and battled through eight lead changes and nine times to get the win and punch USC’s second straight ticket to the NCAA Elite Eight. USC is now 31-3 overall to match its most overall wins in a season since 1986. USC and Kansas State fought through five ties and five lead changes in the first half, with USC seeing a seven-point lead melt away as the Wildcats heated up from the perimeter. Both teams had hit four 3-pointers apiece by halftime, but the Wildcats got some help with extra trips to the free-throw line. Kansas State was shooting 34.5 percent overall and was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line at halftime, while USC was shooting 29.7 percent from the floor and 2-for-2 from the stripe. The Wildcats were also ahead on the boards, 25-21 by the break. The battle raged on, and things were locked up even three minutes into the fourth. USC edged ahead and fended off the Wildcats down the stretch, finishing out the game shooting 38.5 percent with six 3-pointers landed. Kansas State wrapped up at 41.1 percent overall, but committed 15 turnovers that USC converted into 18 points. Smith’s career-high 19 points led all Trojan scorers on the night, with Howell serving up a career-high 18 points along with matching her career high of eight rebounds and setting a new high with four steals. Rayah Marshall also got to double figures with 10 points while hauling in a team-high nine rebounds and issuing three blocks. Heckel added eight points for USC to help bump that combined freshman scoring total to 45 points on the night. Kansas State received a game-high 22 points from Serena Sundell, while Akoya Lee had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jaelyn Glenn also hit double figures with 10 points for the Wildcats.
NOTABLE:
– With 10 points, SR Rayah Marshall moves to No. 20 in all-time in scoring with 1,235 career points.
– FR Avery Howell started for the second time this season, first time in an NCAA tournament. – Howell set a career high in steals with four and matched her career high in made 3-pointers with four, rebounds with eight, and points with 18.
– FR Kennedy Smith matched her career high in points with 19.
– Smith recorded at least one steal in the past 11 games, with three steals tonight. – USC held Kansas State to nine first-quarter points, the sixth quarter in the NCAA Tournament this season that the Trojans held the opposition to nine points or less. – USC held Kansas State to 61 points. KSU entered the game averaging 79.5 points per game. In USC’s first three NCAA Tournament games, it has held its opponents to an average of 48.3 points per game.
– USC’s freshmen Kennedy Smith (19), Avery Howell (18) and Kaleigh Heckel (8) combined to score 45 of USC’s 67 points tonight (67.2 percent). USC entered tonight’s game with its freshman scoring 28 percent of its points according to ESPN, most of the four No. 1 seeds in the tournament.
– USC had 10 steals and forced 16 turnovers tonight and outscored KSU 18-11 on points off turnovers. – USC registered 10 or more steals in a game for the 20th time this season.
NCAA SECOND ROUND
USC earned another trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen after a resounding 96-59 win over No. 9 seed Mississippi State at Galen Center. Now 30-3 overall, USC has locked in its first 30-win season since 1986. USC was shooting a hot-handed 54.8 percent from the floor in the first half to keep the Bulldogs at bay. Mississippi State shot 26.7 percent in the first 20 minutes as the Trojans worked out to a 50-27 halftime lead. The Trojans were also ahead on the boards 50-27, with five 3-pointers landed by the break. The Trojans continued to add to their advantage down the stretch, finishing out the game shooting 52.2 percent overall. Mississippi State ended up at 31.3 percent, and USC outrebounded the Bulldogs 42-34. During the first quarter, USC’s JuJu Watkins sustained a season-ending injury. The Trojans pressed on still, with all active players getting in the game and Kiki Iriafen hitting a season-high 36 points to lead all scorers. Freshman Avery Howell matched her a career high with 18 points, joined in double digits by fellow freshmen Kayleigh Heckel (13 points) and Kennedy Smith (10 point). Senior Rayah Marshall played her last collegiate game at Galen Center and put up 12 points with nine rebounds and four blocks. Mississippi State was led by Jerkaila Jordan’s 17 points, with Eniya Russell adding 11 and Destiney McPhaul with 10.
NOTABLE: – USC’s 96 points was the most the Trojans have scored in a NCAA tournament game since scoring 100 points against Nebraska in 1988. – This is the first time USC has advanced as one of the final 16 teams in the NCAA tournament in consecutive years since the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons. – USC held Mississippi State to a season-low 31.3% shooting percentage.
– GS Kiki Iriafen scored a season-high 36 points (career high is 41 points at Stanford). She has scored in double figures in 33 of the 34 games she has played this season. It is her 13th game this season with 20 or more points and her second 30-point game.
– Iriafen’s 36 points was the most by a Trojan in USC’s last six NCAA appearances (since 1999 season). – Iriafen tied her career-high in made field goals with 16. The last time she made 16 field goals was exactly one year ago while at Stanford (3/24/24).
– FR Avery Howell matched her career highs in points (18) and made 3-pointers (4) and had a career-high six assists.
– FR Kayleigh Heckel set a career high in assists with six.
– FR Kennedy Smith recorded at least one steal in the past 10 games, with five steals vs. Mississippi State.
– SO Malia Samuels matched her season high in steals with three. – USC held Mississippi State to eight first-quarter points. It was the fifth consecutive quarter that USC held the opposition to single digits in scoring. It was also the fewest points Mississippi State scored in any first quarter this season. – USC is now 27-0 when scoring 70 or more points. – USC had 24 assists on its first 25 baskets and finished with a season-high 29 assists. – USC’s eight blocks as a team marked the 13th game this season with eight or more blocks.
NCAA FIRST ROUND
USC set program and NCAA Tournament defensive records in posting a 71-25 win over visiting No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro in the NCAA First Round at Galen Center. The Spartans’ offensive output marked the lowest scoring total and fewest field goals made in an NCAA Tournament game and by any USC opponent in program history, while the Trojans improved to 29-3 overall and punched their ticket to Monday’s Second Round. USC’s defense held UNCG scoreless from the floor for the duration of the second quarter while the Trojans made a 16-0 run to turn a two-point game into a 28-11 halftime advantage for the hosts. USC was shooting 35.6 percent overall in those first 20 minutes to outpace UNCG’s 21.4 percent. The Spartans were 0-for-11 from the field in the second quarter to account for their lost ground. USC led the rebounding battle 26-15 in the first half, and JuJu Watkins was the only player for either team in double digits with her 11 first-half points. By the final buzzer, USC had crossed the 70-point mark for the 26th time this season and finished out at 37.5 percent shooting — far outshining UNCG’s final 13 percent offense effort and 25 total points. USC hauled in 60 rebounds — two off its season high — while UNCG finished with 34. JuJu Watkins delivered a game-high 22 points for the Trojans, with Kiki Iriafen notching her 12th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Rayah Marshall issued a season-high seven blocks to help anchor USC’s stingy defense on the day. UNCG’s top scorer was Nya Smith with seven points.
NOTABLE:
– With 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, GR Kiki Iriafen recorded her 12th double-double of the season. – With 13 points, Iriafen has scored in double figures in 32 of the 33 games she has played this season.
– With 22 points, SO JuJu Watkins has scored in double figures in all 32 games this season and in all but one career game (9 vs. Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game on March 20, 2024).
– Watkins now ranks No. 9 all-time in career scoring at USC with 1,706 points, passing Ebony Hoffman.
– SR Rayah Marshall recorded a season-high seven blocks.
– FR Avery Howell tied her career high with eight rebounds.
– Howell, RS SO Aaliyah Gayles, FR Kayleigh Heckel, FR Kennedy Smith and FR Vivian Iwuchuckwu all scored their first NCAA tournament points this afternoon. – USC’s 46-point margin of victory is its largest in a NCAA tournament game in program history. – The Spartans’ 25 points is the fewest points scored by a USC opponent in program history (fewest since Cal State LA scored 30 in 1975-76) and the second fewest scored in an NCAA Tournament game. – UNCG seven made field goals also is the fewest made in an NCAA Tournament game. – UNC Greensboro’s seven field goals made and 13.0% field goal percentage is the lowest by an opponent in program history (Previous: vs. Cal State Northridge, 1/28/1995) and also an NCAA Tournament single-game record low. – USC’s 60 rebounds is the second most in a game this season (62 vs. Ohio State, 2/8/25)
CONFERENCE CLINCHER
USC won its first regular-season conference title since 1994 in impressive fashion, taking down No. 2-ranked crosstown rival 80-67 on the road in a game that the Trojans never trailed. JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen combined for 47 points while the Trojans got key contributions down the line to secure the 2025 Big Ten Conference regular-season championship in front of a packed house at Pauley Pavilion. JuJu Watkins had 23 of USC’s 46 first-half points, and the Trojans kept the Bruins at bay in the second quarter to build out a 46-32 halftime advantage. USC was shooting 47.4 percent from the floor to that point, outpacing UCLA’s 36.7 percent, with Watkins claiming four of USC’s six 3-pointers drained in the first half of action. UCLA led on the rebounding front 21-18 at the break. The teams largely kept their pace in the second half, although USC held a 20-point lead during the fourth quarter, as the Trojans wrapped the game shooting 48.5 percent and UCLA finished at 36.1 percent overall. The Bruins won the battle of the boards 42-36. USC was tagged for almost double the fouls that UCLA earned — 23-12 — and shot less than half the free throws that the Bruins did — 12 to 26. Watkins pinned up 30 points to lead all scorers — her 20th career 30-point outing and third against the Bruins. Iriafen finished with 17 — 15 in the second half — and had nine rebounds for USC. UCLA’s scoring output was paced by Kiki Rice’s 16 points, with a 10-of-11 effort from the free-throw line. London Jones added 12 points, and Lauren Betts had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Bruins.
NOTABLE: – This was USC’s first regular-season championship since 1994 (Pac-10). – USC won its eighth straight game against an AP-ranked opponent. – Now with three road wins over top-10 opponents, USC has matched the most such wins by a USC team since 1982-83. – It was USC’s first win at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion since Jan. 20, 2019 and 22nd at Pauley all-time. – USC’s 26-2 record through the first 28 games is USC’s best since the 1982-83 season. – USC is now 9-1 this season against ranked opponents. – The last time USC beat UCLA in both regular season games was over a decade ago (2013-14).
– With 30 points, SO JuJu Watkins tied Cherie Nelson for 20 career 30-point games, ranking No. 2 in program history behind Cheryl Miller’s 25 30-point games.
– This is Watkins’s third 30-point game against UCLA. – USC is now 23-0 when scoring over 70 points, and 22-0 when it keeps opponents to under 70 points. – This was USC’s second-ever Big Ten regular-season title, following women’s soccer’s title won in the fall.
DOWN GOES NUMBER ONE
USC weathered a third-quarter storm from visiting No. 1 UCLA and then swamped the Bruins in the fourth with a comeback push that netted a 71-60 victory for the Trojans at Galen Center. The win over its rival marked USC’s first over an AP top-ranked team since 1983 and handed the Bruins their first loss of the season. USC sophomore JuJu Watkins shined brightly in this one, notching 38 points with 11 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks to help her Trojans improve to 22-2 overall and 12-1 in Big Ten play. UCLA is now 23-1, 11-1. Watkins delivered 25 of USC’s 38 first-half points to help the Trojans lead the Bruins 38-35 at halftime. USC was shooting 38.2 percent overall but was a hot 7-of-11 from beyond the arc by the break. UCLA shots 44.4 percent overall in the first half and had hit one three. The Bruins were bigger on the boards, though, outrebounding USC 23-12 in those first 20 minutes of play. USC stayed largely even on the boards with UCLA in the second half, with the Bruins finishing with a 45-35 advantage, but UCLA went cold from the field during the fourth to see a seven-point lead melt away as USC outscored the Bruins 24-8 in the fourth to secure the upset win. USC wrapped the game shooting 33.3 percent overall while holding UCLA to a season-low 35.1 percent. Watkins worked her career scoring total out past the 1,500-point mark with her 38 points, notching her 15th career double-double in adding 11 rebounds to go with eight booming blocks and five assists. Kiki Iriafen also got to double digits with 13 points on the night while adding three assists. UCLA was led by Lauren Betts’ double-double on 18 points and 13 rebounds, joined in double figures by Kiki Rice’s 15 points and 10 from Janiah Barker.
NOTABLE: – This is USC’s first program win over an AP No. 1-ranked team since 1983 (last vs. Louisiana Tech [W, 69-67] in the national title game). USC is now 2-10 all-time against AP top-ranked opponents. – With this win, USC snaps the Bruin’s 23-0 win streak. The last time UCLA came to Galen, the Trojans snapped their 14-0 undefeated streak. – This was USC’s first win after trailing entering the fourth quarter (now 1-2 in those situations). – The Trojans kept the Bruins to a season-low 60 points. They were averaging 80.6 points scored in a game, and allowing 54.7 points by opponents. – USC held UCLA to a season-low 35.5% shooting percentage. – This was the third game of the season between top-10 opponents at Galen Center (first was Nov. 23, 2024 vs. then-No. 6 Notre Dame, second was Feb. 8, 2025 vs. then No. 8 Ohio State). – USC is now 4-1 vs. top-10 opponents this season.
– With 32 points at 6:23 in the fourth quarter, SO JuJu Watkins hit 1,500 career points.
– With 38 points, Watkins has scored in double figures in all 24 games this season. – This is Watkins’ 19th career 30-point game and fifth 30-point game this season. – Watkins’ 25 points in the first half was the most she scored in a first this season. – Also with 11 rebounds, Watkins recorded her sixth double-double this season and 15th as a Trojan.
– With 13 points, GS Kiki Iriafen has scored in double digits in 23 of the 24 games she has played this season.
– With eight blocks, Watkins has recorded a new career high. It ties the third-most in a game by a Trojan. – With six 3-pointers made, Watkins has hit at least one three in USC’s last 19 games. It ties the third-most threes made by a Trojan all time.
– With one 3-pointer, GS Talia von Oelhoffen has hit at least one three in the last seven games.
– With two blocks, Marshall has recorded at least one block in the last 21 games she has played
– With three steals, SR Clarice Akunwafo tied her career high.
– With two assists, Akunwafo tied her season high. – USC’s 13 total blocks was a season high and tied the third-most blocked shots by the Trojans in a game.
WE WIN AT UCONN
USC answered a gut check in Hartford, Conn., fighting off a late push by No. 4 host UConn to ring up a tense 72-70 victory over the Huskies — USC’s first over UConn in program history. The Trojans had led by as much as 18 points early in the second half, only to see the Huskies bite back in front of a crowd of 15,684 at XL Center. UConn had worked its way to its first lead of the game with a one-point advantage with 4:25 to go, and it was all even at 67-67 with 2:25 remaining. Rayah Marshall delivered a key bucket in the paint to lift USC into a lead it would not relinquish despite late free-throw looks from the Huskies with five seconds left. JuJu Watkins’ two tosses from the stripe with 20 seconds on the clock gave USC a 72-69 lead, and just one of three late tosses from the Huskies would fall in a dramatic finish to this top-10 clash in Connecticut. USC nailed seven first-half 3-pointers and held UConn without a bucket from the floor for the final three minutes of the first half to build a 42-29 lead at the break. The Trojans were shooting 48.6 percent from the floor overall to that point, while the Huskies were at 35.5 percent, and USC was ahead on the boards 22-19 by halftime. JuJu Watkins was the only player in double digits through the first half, holding 15 points, and Kiki Iriafen had nine rebounds in the bank by the break. The second half was a different tale, as UConn heated up to 43.5 percent overall while landing four second-half 3-pointers. USC wrapped at 49.2 percent and had nine threes hit, while finishing just ahead on the boards 33-32 by the final buzzer. USC was led by JuJu Watkins’ game-high 25 points along with a double-double from Kiki Iriafen with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Iriafen also had a career-high six assists. Back from injury, USC freshman Kennedy Smith hit a career-high three 3-pointers for the Trojans. UConn had two Huskies finish with 22 points apiece in Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong, with Strong pulling in 13 rebounds.
NOTABLE:
– JuJu Watkins (25 points) and Kiki Iriafen (16) have now both scored in double digits in all 12 USC games this season. – With three 3-pointers made, Watkins has hit at least one three in the past seven games. – With her 16 points and team-high 11 rebounds, Iriafen recorded her fifth double-double in USC’s last six games and sixth as a Trojan. – Iriafen also served up a career-high six assists.
– Kennedy Smith set a career-high with three 3-pointers made; Smith had missed the previous seven games following a surgical procedure.
– With two blocks, Rayah Marshall has recorded at least one block in the last 10 games. – This was USC’s first win over a top-10 opponent this season, now 1-1 in such matchups after losing to then-No. 6/5 Notre Dame on Nov. 23. – USC is now 1-3 all-time against UConn in a series that began in the 2002-03 season.
OUI WIN IN PARIS
USC stood its ground from the free-throw line to pull off a 68-66 win over No. 20 Ole Miss, fighting back from down four points in the fourth with a stubborn stand to open up the 2024-25 campaign with a victory in Paris, France. The Trojans were playing in the first official collegiate basketball game of the season, taking the stage at Adidas Arena in Paris in an Aflac Oui-Play Game. USC heated up in the second quarter offensively and stayed stingy on defense to turn a three-point deficit into an 11-point halftime advantage. The Trojans shot 51.7 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action while holding the Rebels to 17.9 percent, and USC had the edge on the boards 26-25 by the break. JuJu Watkins had 16 points on the board, and three USC freshmen also were on the scoresheet in their Trojan debuts by halftime. Ole Miss got some 3-pointers to go in the second half to cut into the Trojan lead, but USC was composed from the free-throw line in the fourth, going 14-of-14 to counter the Rebels’ late push. Ole Miss outscored USC 40-31 in the second half, but the Trojans pulled together to net the win. USC finished up the game shooting 40 percent overall from the floor, going 23-of-29 from the free-throw line and outrebounding Ole Miss 48-43. The Rebels wrapped at 29.7 percent from the floor, despite a 30-percent showing (7-of-23) from beyond the arc. The Trojans were paced by double-doubles from Kiki Iriafen and Watkins. Iriafen pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to go with her 22 points, and Watkins tallied a game-high 27 points with 10 rebounds. USC freshman Kennedy Smith also hit double digits in her Trojan debut, scoring 12 points. Ole Miss was led in scoring by Kristen Deans’ 19 points and 14 from Madison Scott.
NOTABLE:
– Three USC freshman made their debuts: Kennedy Smith (starter), Kayleigh Heckel and Avery Howell.
– Kiki Iriafen and JuJu Watkins both had double-doubles for USC, — the first time since 2010 that two Trojans recorded double-doubles in a USC season opener. – The game vs. No. 20 Ole Miss marked the eighth time USC has faced a ranked opponent in a season opener in program history. – It is just the second time in program history that USC has faced a ranked opponent in back-to-back season openers — Last season, USC opened with a win over No. 7 Ohio State; USC beat Old Dominion in the 1986-87 season opener and lost to Texas in the 1987-88 season opener). – This is the first time that USC has beaten a ranked opponent in consecutive season openers.
GOLDEN GIRLS
Representing the United States, Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith — both McDonald’s All-Americans — teamed up to help Team USA win gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Colombia, keeping alive and well the U.S. streak of titles at the event. The pair combined for 31 points in the final game as the USA won its 11th straight gold with an 80-69 victory over Canada. A 5-9 guard out of Port Chester, N.Y., Heckel averaged 12.8 points along with 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as Team USA went undefeated in AmeriCup action. A 6-1 guard hailing from Chino, Calif., Smith led Team USA with 18 points in the gold-medal game, including a solo six-point scoring surge that helped build a key late lead. She’d finish out the event having averaged 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
BRING ON THE BIG TEN
Entering its first season in the Big Ten Conference, USC landed top honors from its new league, picked No. 1 in the Preseason Rankings to go along with JuJu Watkins’ selection as Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. Watkins also joins fellow Trojan Kiki Iriafen on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team. The Women of Troy were selected to top the Big Ten in 2024-25, earning the No. 1 spot ahead of No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Indiana in both the coaches and media preseason polls. All five were NCAA Tournament teams last season, with USC having made the deepest run of the group with its Elite Eight appearance. UCLA and Indiana reached the 2024 Sweet Sixteen, while Ohio State got to the Second Round, and Maryland played in the First Round. The Women of Troy are set to host a competitive lineup of Big Ten teams at Galen Center and will challenge the remaining opponents on the road. USC also has a home-and-away series against crosstown rival UCLA on tap. The Trojans will face two programs — Illinois and Wisconsin — for the first time, while other matchups offer the first visits to Galen Center for several Big Ten foes as well as the Trojans’ first trips to several road venues.
NOTABLE: – As USC enters the Big Ten, it holds a 27-23 all-time record against current Big Ten teams (record does not include new members Oregon, UCLA and Washington) – USC will be facing both Illinois and Wisconsin for the first time in program history. – The 2024-25 meetings will feature the first-ever visits to Galen Center for Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Penn State. – USC will be playing road games at Indiana, Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin for the first time.
WE GOT GOTTLIEB
Entering her fourth season at the helm of a program on the rise, USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season. Last season, Gottlieb guided her Women of Troy to a historic run to the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight. Named a finalist for the Werner Ladder National Coach of the Year award, Gottlieb led USC to its second-ever Pac-12 Tournament title and to the program’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1986. By the close of USC’s first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years, Gottlieb’s team had posted a 29-6 overall record — marking the most wins since Linda Sharp’s 1985-86 team. Ranked No. 3 in the nation entering the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Trojans achieved their highest national ranking since standing at No. 3 in the final AP poll of 1986. USC had been picked to finish sixth in the Pac-12, but ended up second instead. With its highest-ever Pac-12 Tournament seed at No. 2, the Trojans went on to beat Arizona, UCLA and Stanford to claim the 2024 Pac-12 championship.
WNBA DRAFT DOUBLE
For the second straight year, USC had multiple Trojans selected in the WNBA Draft, with 2024 picks going to grad students McKenzie Forbes (Los Angeles Sparks) and Kaitlyn Davis (New York Liberty). Coming off key leadership roles in USC’s run to the NCAA Elite Eight, Forbes and Davis were selected in the third round (April 15) as the 28th and 35th overall picks, respectively. Both were transfers to USC from the Ivy League in 2023, and both have further solidified their places in the Trojan history books to make it a count of 18 players selected for the WNBA out of USC. Two Women of Troy — Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie — were Inaugural Elite Selections to the WNBA in 1997. Additionally, 14 other Trojans have been drafted out of USC, including two picks in 2023 (Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika) and now two more in 2024 with Forbes’ and Davis’ selections. This is the fourth time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. In 2012, USC had Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath picked, and in 1997 Pam McGee and Tina Thompson were USC draftees.
LAST SEASON
In 2023-24, USC earned the program’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1986 and made a historic run to the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight. Ranked No. 3 in the nation entering the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Trojans achieved their highest national ranking since standing at No. 3 in the final AP poll of 1986. Picked to finish sixth in the Pac-12 Conference, USC ended up second instead. With its highest-ever Pac-12 Tournament seed at No. 2, the Trojans went on to beat Arizona, UCLA and Stanford to claim the 2024 Pac-12 championship. The 2023-24 Trojans finished the season at 29-6 overall, marking the most wins by the program since 1985-86. USC’s 2023-24 season was also highlighted by a standing-room-only crowd at Galen Center to see the Trojans beat rival UCLA, McKenzie Forbes named the Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, a record-setting 51-point game by freshman JuJu Watkins in USC’s first win at Stanford since 2002-03 and the honor of hosting — and winning — the NCAA First and Second Rounds to earn a trip to the Sweet 16.
SIGNED!
USC is getting another injection of high-level talent with the signing of Jazzy Davidson to join USC as a freshman for 2025-26. She is the No. 3 recruit in the nation and has been a member of Team USA’s U18 National Teams. A native of Clackamas, Ore., Davidson was a semifinalist for the 2023-24 Naismith Trophy High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a junior at Clackamas High. A 6-foot-1 left-handed guard/forward, Davidson was also the 2022-23 Oregon Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore as Clackamas won the 2023 Class 6A state championship. This past summer, she was a member of the United States’ gold-medalist U18 team at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup alongside two current USC freshmen — Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith. Davidson averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 2.7 steals per game at the event, and became the first U18 player to go a perfect 100 percent from the floor with five or more attempts in a game since 2004 with her outing for Team USA against Mexico. In August, Davidson also was named to the 2024 USA 3×3 Women’s U18 National Team, winning gold again with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup. Since signing on with USC, Davidson has been named a McDonald’s All-American and was selected as a Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girl’s Basketball Player of the Year semifinalist and All-American. On March 13, Davidson picked up her fourth straight selection as the Gatorade Oregon Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
THE PLACE TO BE.
The University of Southern California is the undeniable, unequaled and unquestioned top destination for student-athletes. USC is both home to 136 national team championships and one of the top-ranked private research institutions in the world. Located in the heart of the thriving Los Angeles metropolitan area, it is situated in one of the most diverse and visible media markets in the world. USC’s campus is driving distance from the beautiful beaches of Southern California, the majestic mountains range of the Sierra Nevada, the sprawling splendor of the Redwood and Sequoia national forests, and the mysterious Mojave Desert. The student-athlete experience at USC is truly unmatched. •
