The USC Trojans made history on Saturday night, stunning the UConn Huskies 72-70 for their first-ever win over the storied program. The thrilling victory, a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight matchup, propelled USC to No. 4 in the latest Associated Press women’s college basketball poll released on Monday.
Freshman phenom JuJu Watkins led the way for the Trojans, showcasing the talent that made her the nation’s top recruit. “It feels great to get the dub always,” Watkins said after the game. “I think it hit a little different knowing the history of last year and how they sent us home.”
A Signature Win for USC’s Program
The victory over UConn, a perennial powerhouse with 11 national championships, marks a major milestone for USC under second-year head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Gottlieb recognized the significance of the win for her program and the sport as a whole.
This is a really significant win, and it’s a really significant win because of the stature of UConn’s program and what Geno Auriemma has done for our sport. It doesn’t matter to me that they haven’t won a championship in a couple years. There’s still a way that they prepare, a way that they play, that makes you better, and it made us better.
Lindsay Gottlieb, USC Head Coach
UConn Falls to No. 7
The loss dropped UConn to No. 7 in the AP poll, behind Texas and LSU. The Huskies, who have been dealing with injuries to key players like Paige Bueckers, are now 10-2 on the season. Despite the setback, UConn’s reputation and tournament pedigree make them a contender to watch as March Madness approaches.
USC’s Rise Continues
For USC, the win over UConn is just the latest highlight in a strong start to the season. At 11-1, with their only loss coming to No. 2 South Carolina, the Trojans are positioning themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive Pac-12 Conference and beyond. With Watkins leading a talented roster, USC has its sights set on making a deep tournament run and contending for a national title.
AP Poll Movement
Elsewhere in the AP Top 25, Duke fell five spots to No. 14 after a loss to South Florida, while Alabama re-entered the rankings at No. 20 following an impressive win over Michigan State. The SEC leads all conferences with eight ranked teams, followed by seven for the Big Ten.
As the season marches on, the USC Trojans’ historic victory over UConn serves notice to the rest of the nation – this is a program on the rise, ready to compete with the sport’s elite. With Watkins and Gottlieb leading the charge, USC is a team no one will want to face come tournament time.
