In a clash of women’s college basketball titans, No. 7 USC outlasted No. 4 UConn 72-70 on Saturday night in Hartford. The much-hyped contest featured a showdown between two of the sport’s brightest young stars in USC’s JuJu Watkins and UConn’s Paige Bueckers. When the final buzzer sounded, it was Watkins and the Trojans standing victorious in the rematch of last season’s epic Elite Eight battle.
Watkins Wins Superstar Duel
From the opening tip, all eyes were on the individual matchup between Watkins and Bueckers, preseason All-Americans and top WNBA prospects. The sophomore sensations did not disappoint, going toe-to-toe on both ends of the floor in a dazzling display of skill.
Watkins proved why she’s already being mentioned among the best players in the nation, regardless of class. The 6-foot-2 guard poured in a game-high 25 points to lead USC to its 11th win in 12 games this season. She hit clutch buckets down the stretch and came up with a huge block on Bueckers late in the fourth quarter.
“JuJu was just spectacular tonight,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “She wanted this one badly after how last season ended. To see her deliver in the biggest moments against a player of Paige’s caliber, that just speaks to her competitiveness and will to win.”
Not to be outdone, Bueckers scored a team-high 22 points and dished out six assists in a valiant effort for UConn. The reigning National Player of the Year single-handedly fueled a 18-2 second-half run that erased USC’s 18-point lead. With under a minute to go and the score knotted at 67-67, Bueckers had a chance to put the Huskies ahead but saw her shot swatted away by Watkins.
Marshall’s Late Heroics Lift USC
While Watkins shined brightest, she got plenty of help from her supporting cast. None were bigger than Rayah Marshall, who broke the tie with a layup off a beautiful feed from Watkins with 1:21 remaining. The 6-foot-4 forward finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks.
After UConn failed to score on its next possession, Watkins stepped to the free throw line with a chance to put the game away. She surprisingly missed the first attempt, but calmly sank the second to make it 70-67 Trojans. The Huskies would twice pull within one but couldn’t get over the hump.
“This is a huge win for our program,” Gottlieb said. “To come into this environment against a team like UConn and find a way… I couldn’t be more proud. But we’re not satisfied. This is just the start of what we believe we can accomplish.”
Tough Stretch Ahead For Trojans
The road doesn’t get any easier for USC, which faces three consecutive ranked opponents starting next week. If the Trojans can navigate that gauntlet, they’ll strengthen their case as a legitimate national championship contender. Based on their performance against the Huskies, they looked more than up for the challenge.
As for UConn, the loss snapped a 10-game winning streak and exposed some of the team’s vulnerability. The Huskies’ lack of a consistent secondary scorer behind Bueckers was glaring, as no other player reached double figures. They’ll look to bounce back against Providence after a short Christmas break.
A Rivalry In The Making?
Given the intensity, dramatics, and star power on display, it’s hard not to get excited about future clashes between USC and UConn. With Watkins and Bueckers leading the way, this has the makings of a budding cross-country rivalry that could define women’s college basketball for years to come.
Both sophomores are already drawing comparisons to some of the game’s all-time greats. Watkins’ explosiveness and flair evoke memories of Candace Parker, while Bueckers’ clutch gene and passing wizardry have elicited comparisons to Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. The scary part? They’re just scratching the surface of their immense potential.
“The future is so bright for women’s basketball with young stars like JuJu and Paige leading the way,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “Their games are so polished and mature beyond their years. It’s going to be a treat to watch them grow and battle each other throughout their college careers and beyond.”
If this early-season thriller was any indication, basketball fans better buckle up. The JuJu Watkins vs Paige Bueckers rivalry has officially arrived, and it’s just getting started. Don’t be surprised to see these two heavyweights standing in each other’s way on the road to a national title in March… and for many years to come in the WNBA.
