USC’s championship dreams took a massive hit when star guard JuJu Watkins went down with a torn ACL during the Trojans’ dominant 96-59 win over Mississippi State in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament. The injury, confirmed by the school, will require surgery, ending Watkins’ season and leaving USC without its best player for the rest of the tournament.
Watkins suffered the injury just minutes into the game. She was pushing the ball in transition when she collided with multiple defenders. Immediately, she crumpled to the floor, clutching her right knee in pain. The silence in the arena was deafening. She had to be carried off without putting weight on her leg, a heartbreaking sight for USC fans and teammates alike.
Trojans Rally in Her Absence
Despite the emotional toll, USC didn’t crumble. They regrouped and delivered a statement win, proving they wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb was visibly emotional after the game. “I’m feeling a lot of emotions, obviously,” she said. “But the biggest one is pride. What a performance by this group.”
Without Watkins, Avery Howell stepped up with 18 points off the bench, and Kiki Iriafen took over with a jaw-dropping 36-point performance. The Trojans played inspired basketball, fueled by the support of their home crowd.
A Lost Showdown and a Tough Road Ahead
Watkins’ injury not only impacts USC’s title hopes—it also robs fans of a potential Sweet 16 showdown between Watkins and UConn’s Paige Bueckers. That matchup, one of the most highly anticipated of the tournament, won’t happen now.
Even with a fully healthy squad, USC faced one of the toughest paths to a championship. Now, without their best player, the road looks almost impossible.
The Trojans will face No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16. If they survive, they could see No. 2 UConn, No. 1 UCLA, and No. 1 South Carolina in succession. Watkins was responsible for over 30% of USC’s scoring this season. Without her, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Respect and Well Wishes
The play that led to Watkins’ injury was reviewed by officials but ruled a common foul. Mississippi State coach Sam Purcell addressed the incident after the game, defending his player.
“We don’t play to hurt, we play to compete,” Purcell said. “I hope social media understands that the player involved is a woman of class. She didn’t intend for this to happen.”
He also expressed his support for Watkins. “We’re praying for her recovery. She’s the ultimate competitor, and we want to see her back on the court.”
Where USC Goes From Here
Watkins was expected to be a frontrunner for the Naismith Player of the Year, and her absence leaves an enormous hole in USC’s lineup. The Trojans showed resilience against Mississippi State, but can they keep it up?
Saturday’s Sweet 16 matchup against Kansas State will tell us a lot. USC will have to dig deep, play near-perfect basketball, and find scoring from unexpected places. If they do, maybe—just maybe—they can keep their championship hopes alive.