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No. 5 USC Trojans defeat No.2 Stanford Cardinal 74-61, earning their second and final Pac-12 championship.
What a fitting farewell to the Pac-12 Championship.
Under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, the USC Trojans secured the Pac-12 Championship, marking their first conference victory in ten years. Despite Stanford being the favored team, USC took an early lead and maintained their momentum throughout. Demonstrating their strongest win percentage since the 1993-1994 season, the Trojans have consistently impressed with their physical prowess throughout the season. It's been a real honor to watch them this season.
TROJANS WIN!!!!! pic.twitter.com/nRyrILGTJZ
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) March 10, 2024
It all began with a three-pointer sunk by Senior guard McKenzie Forbes. As a first-year transfer from Harvard University, and formerly Cal, Forbes scored a game-high 26 points, making 11 out of 21 field goals and hitting 4 out of 8 three-point attempts. Additionally, she grabbed five rebounds, two of which were on the offensive end, and contributed two assists along with three steals.
McKenzie Forbes was an unstoppable force
On Dec. 21, the senior scored a career-high 36 points against Long Beach State, and came up immense in the most unforgettable moment, the Pac-12 championship.
Clearly emotional after the game, Forbes was truly unstoppable all over both ends of the court. Steals and pull up threes, the senior was locked in. Second on the roster in scoring with 13.1 points per game, Forbes was the glue that secured USC their final ever Pac-12 championship. And with her stellar game play, the California native was named the conference MVP.
Surrounded by reporters, Forbes gave an tearful interview with on the court. In her post game speech, the senior shed tears, yet was visibly passionate about her team's victory.
"I just love my teammates man," Forbes told Rowe via ESPN. "We deserve this, we worked so hard. We locked in on the game plan and nobody believed we would win this and we did it."
USC impressed without their biggest star
What stands out about this victory is that USC managed to defeat the second-ranked team in the nation, despite freshman standout JuJu Watkins having an off night. With a shooting performance of just 2-15 from the floor, Watkins ended the game with a season-low nine points, along with one block, one assist, and three rebounds in 39 minutes of play. While this performance is uncharacteristic for the freshman, it underscores USC's ability to remain a strong force, even when key players face challenges.
As a result, the Trojans had just two bench players, Clarice Akunwafo and Kayla Williams, who together scored 10 points. Kayla Padilla, who previously transferred from Penn State, scored 13 points with a 50 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, junior center Rayah Marshall led the game with 18 rebounds and also contributed 10 points. Notably, Marshall secured five of her rebounds on the offensive end.
And for USC, it's not about who scores the most collective points. Truly a team effort, the USC Trojans were never favored to win the conference title.
"We love basketball, and that's the best part about this team," Forbes told ESPN's Holly Rowe. "No one cares who gets a shine. No one cares who scores 50, who scores zero. We have people who play their role, who just go out there and rebound. It doesn't matter, we just want to win."
USC dominated on the rebounds
Speaking of rebounds, acting as a strong force on the glass was the difference maker for the USC. By out rebounding Stanford 48-28, there were a plethora of second chance opportunities, along with 21 points off turnovers. There's outplaying a team on the glass, and then there's completely dominating a team on the rebounds. In USC's case, it was a display of absolute masterclass on the rebounds.
JuJu Watkins' first 7 games of her college career (all wins).
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) December 4, 2023
32 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
18 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK
35 PTS, 9 REB, 6 STL, 6 3PT
15 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK
31 PTS, 12 REB
30 PTS, 5 STL, 4 AST
30 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST @USCWBB | @ballislifewbb_ pic.twitter.com/HC4UJ6NiOu
What an incredible freshman season it's been for Watkins. The next generational talent, she led the Trojans with 27 points per game, and broke several records in her first season. In fact, the Sierra Canyon product is now the most scoring freshman in NCAA women's basketball history. While Caitlin Clark finished with 799 points following her freshman year, Watkins is at 801.
An integral part of the Trojans success this season, Watkins poured in 33 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in the Pac-12 semifinal against no. 7 UCLA. Making history all season long, the guard broke Cheryl Miller's record for the most 30-point games in a season for the USC Trojans.
USC defeated Stanford twice this year
JUJU WATKINS
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) February 3, 2024
Broke the USC record for points in a game as a freshman!
51 Points
14/26 Shooting
6/11 Threes
17/19 Free Throws
11 Rebounds
4 Steals
In an upset win over No.4 Stanford pic.twitter.com/c9PtftXwQV
Despite being ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 this season, the Cardinal suffered only five losses, one of which was against USC on Feb. 2, with a final score of 67-58. In a remarkable display, JuJu Watkins made history by becoming the first Division 1 freshman to score 50 points in a game since Elena Delle Donne in 2010. With an impressive 51 points, she propelled the Trojans to their first victory at Maples Pavilion, the Cardinal's home court, in 24 years.
While USC has long demonstrated their ability to compete with Stanford and head coach Tara VanDerveer, it's Stanford that has largely dominated the Pac-12, clinching five conference titles since 2015. Despite USC's recent championship win, it marks a significant shift in the landscape of one of women's basketball's most competitive conferences. With VanDerveer's influence shaping the trajectory of women's hoops, this victory undoubtedly evokes a range of emotions. Two notable sentiments include disappointment and sadness.
With 12 teams part of the Pac-12, USC will move to the Big Ten, along with UCLA next season. Meanwhile, while Arizona, Utah, among others, will join the Big 12. Stanford, along with Cal, will join the ACC. The irony in this all? The Pac-12 is one of the strongest conferences in women's basketball history, including six ranked teams. Cameron Brink, JuJu Watkins, Alissa Pili, the list goes on. The amount of talent in the Pac-12 is enormous, and it will indefinitely be missed.
In a bittersweet day, the USC Trojans will move onto the NCAA tournament, where they will receive a chance to compete for a National Championship title.
Stay tuned for more NCAA and WNBA related articles. Click here
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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JuJu Watkins delivered a record breaking historical performance
USC Trojans Freshman sensation JuJu Watkins is a walking bucket, and no one was stopping her Friday night.
At Maples Pavilion, the rookie exploded for 51 points and led USC to just their second road win on the season. Delivering a historic performance, the guard grabbed 11 boards, and finished with a double-double. No. 12 became the first player to ever score 51 points in a game for the Trojans. Cherie Nelson previously held the record for the most points in a game with 50 in 1989.
Over the weekend, No. 15 USC Trojans (15-4) took down No. 4 Stanford in a classic Pac-12 showdown. 19-3 on the season, and 8-2 in the conference, Stanford retains the slight lead over Colorado. With the victory, USC ranks 6th in the conference, behind Utah.
A 2-1 record against the Cardinal since early 2023, the Trojans recorded their first win against Stanford on the road since the 2000-2001 season.
In regards to her historical performance, Watkins doesn't quite put herself in the same category as USC legends Lisa Leslie and Cheryl Miller just yet. Even after this jaw dropping performance, she's focused on getting back in the gym for their next matchup against California. That's mamba mentality right there.
JUJU WATKINS
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) February 3, 2024
Broke the USC record for points in a game as a freshman!
51 Points
14/26 Shooting
6/11 Threes
17/19 Free Throws
11 Rebounds
4 Steals
In an upset win over No.4 Stanford pic.twitter.com/c9PtftXwQV
"Its crazy, " Watkins said after breaking the Trojans single game scoring record. "I don't really think about it too much. I have a long way to go till I will consider myself in that category with Cheryl [Miller], Lisa [Leslie] and the greats. I'm just honored, blessed to be in this environment, space and time in Women's Basketball. I'm just soaking it all in--I'm going to take it all in and then back to the gym." (USC Athletics).
She's been killing it in her rookie season
Now just making headlines, the rookie has been breaking records all season long. Just 18 years old, the freshman has seven games with 30+ points. That's the most since Nelson, who finished with eight during the 1988-1989 season.
Recording her fourth double-double of the season, Watkins is the first D1 NCAA freshman to score 50 points in a single game since Elena Delle Donne in 2010 (54).
While there's plenty of NCAA talent, Watkins is different. Leading USC in a new era of basketball, she continues to build on her Los Angeles legacy. From the way she conducts herself in interviews, to her jump shot release--the future is bright for Watkins.
Coming off a heartbreaking 62-59 loss against Washington, Watkins arguably had one of her worst shooting performances of the season. She finished with 19 points, on 8-27 (29.6 %) field goal shooting, and 2-7 (28.6 %) from deep. To be able to overcome that and adapt in this way speaks volumes.
"Her demeanor from the second that game ended against Washington until now is what sets her apart to me more than these numbers," said Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb in the USC Athletics post game presser. "All week I said, this kid is different, she's special the way she takes coaching, the way she's a teammate, the way she holds herself accountable." (USC Athletics).
Buckets on buckets on buckets.
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) February 3, 2024
All 51 points from JuJu's historic nightpic.twitter.com/4WXvUNtPhm
Watkins single handily defeated the 4th best team in the nation, and a top 5 ranked program. 51 points is impressive against any team, but against Tara VanDerveer and the Stanford Cardinal? You're talking about making headlines against the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history and one of the most pristine programs in NCAA history. That's special, and the basketball world is witnessing the evolution of the next generational talent.
RELATED: Tara VanDerveer is not the winningest coach in NCAA history.
Watkins was stellar on both sides of the ball
Making up 76 percent of the Trojans offense, Watkins scored 51 of their 67 total points. Shooting 14-26 (53.8 %) from the field, the rest of her team finished just 7-38 (18 %) from the floor.
What can't Watkins do on the court? A scoring machine, she was lights out from the three-point line and mid range, shooting 54.5 percent from deep. Excellent in transition, her shots were smooth, even when contested. With full confidence, Watkins pulled up often in double coverage, and utilized screens very well.
Her footwork, positioning, it was put on full display in the historic night. Not only that, but No. 12 was getting plenty of strong looks at the basket. Watkins finished 17-19 from the free-throw line. What transpired the other night is just the beginning.
Getting to the lines that frequently is significant. Over the last minute or so in the game, Watkins made five free-throws.
While the focus has been primarily on Watkins and the offense, USC was brilliant on the defensive end. Holding Cameron Brink and Kiki Iriafen to 10-32 (31.2 %) field goal shooting was crucial to the victory. Watkins alone had four steals, and nine defensive rebounds. The LA native even found herself drawing offensive charge calls on the defensive end. On the season, she's been brilliant defensively, averaging 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Standing at 6 ft 2, her towering stature makes her one of the most prolific two-way players in the game.
Juju went to work tonight and dropped 51 points!!!! @USCWBB pic.twitter.com/uvZTxIYLIX
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) February 3, 2024
In fact, USC held Stanford to a season-low 31.6 percent from the floor, which included a season low total 58 points scored.
She was a high school standout at Sierra Canyon
JuJu Watkins, a California native, was the no. 1 recruit out of Sierra Canyon in 2023. In her first year with the Trojans, she's been turning heads. Although she's only a freshman, the guard has always been an elite hooper, especially at the high school level. A recipient of the McDonald’s All-American award, Watkins dropped a 60 piece against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on senior night.
Watkins joins the names amongst fellow freshman players who have had impactful first seasons with their respectful teams. Watkins joins MiLaysia Fulwiley of South Carolina, Hannah Hildago of Notre Dame, and Mikalyah Williams of LSU just to name a few. The freshman are officially taking over, and we are all here for it.
JuJu Watkins is a star in the making that's been overshadowed for quite some time. 18 games into her rookie season, she's averaging a second best 27.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, on 36.1 percent three-point shooting. Keeping it classy as always, Watkins refuses to be compared to Caitlin Clark's greatness, and is making a name for herself.
USC will finish up their mini two-game road trip against California Sunday afternoon.
Stay tuned for more NCAAW and WNBA related articles. Click here
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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