USC's JuJu Watkins will lead the Lady Trojans against UConn on Saturday on the road at 5 p.m. on Fox.
One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the women's college basketball season is set for this Saturday, as No. 7 USC travels to Hartford, Connecticut, for a rematch against No. 4 UConn at 5 p.m. on Fox. The two powerhouse teams last met in the 2024 Elite Eight, and both enter this game with top 10 offenses and defenses.
The Trojans are led by sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins, who is averaging 24.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Forward Kiki Iriafen has been a force in the paint, leading the team with 9.2 rebounds per game while also contributing 18.7 points. Although starting freshman guard Kennedy Smith from Etiwanda high school remains sidelined due to injury, fellow freshman and McDonald's All-American Kayleigh Heckel has risen to the occasion. She delivered a standout performance in the win over Elon, shooting 7-for-8 from the field while adding four steals and 4 four assists.
USC's defense has been a key factor in their success this season, with senior center Rayah Marshall anchoring the interior with 2.2 blocks per game. The Trojans have yet to experience a poor defensive outing, and they'll need that consistency against a UConn team that excels on both ends of the floor.
Three-point shooting remains a concern for USC. They shot just 19% from beyond the arc in their recent 88-30 blowout win over Elon, and are hitting only 31.7% on the season. Against UConn, efficient shooting and a dominant defensive effort will be crucial in what is expected to be a tightly contested game.
Although it's still early in the season to draw definitive conclusions from a single game, this Saturday's matchup will provide valuable insight into a USC squad that is 1-1 against ranked opponents so far.
Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb reflected on the team's preparation heading into Saturday's game in the press conference following the victory over Elon. "We'll figure out what we want to try to accomplish, and the players will buy into that. It's going to be a really, really tough test and a tough challenge. But we'll watch as much film as we can to get the players prepared. And I know our players are looking forward to being on that stage and having that opportunity."
A victory over the Huskies would firmly establish USC as a national championship contender. Their next two games will be at home in the Galen Center against Michigan on December 29, at 7 p.m. and January 1, at 12 p.m. against Nebraska.
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