JuJu Watkins, Lindsay Gottlieb and Kiki Iriafen have all risen to the challenge for USC

Four weeks ago, USC women’s basketball was punched in the mouth by Notre Dame on national television. The Trojans lost by 13 points and it felt like it was the decisive loss. JuJu Watkins, Lindsay Gottlieb, Kiki Iriafen and the rest of the Trojans were not at their best. Notre Dame was superior to them for 40 minutes, and it felt like it. USC responded to what the Fighting Irish did. The Trojans did not attack; They were under fire the entire game. USC needed a completely different mindset, accompanied by different tactics and a much improved level of play, when it faced UConn this Saturday night in Hartford.

USC entered this game 10-1. To be sure, the Trojans — who have posted 85-point wins and 50-plus point victories so far this season — have shown they can destroy vastly inferior teams, offering a glimpse into the extent of their talents. Still, no one gets a prize for beating cans of tomatoes by 60. What matters is beating the very best. Geno Auriemma. Paige Bueckers. On the way. On national television. USC women’s basketball did it with a 72-70 win over Hartford. JuJu Watkins, Kiki Iriafen and Lindsay Gottlieb were up to the challenge. Let’s talk more about how she and the rest of the USC team got the job done and took a big step forward toward the Final Four:

REVENGE

UConn denied USC the program’s first Final Four since 1986. The Trojans lost to the Huskies in the 2024 Elite Eight. Revenge wasn’t the most important part of this game, but it still provided a source of motivation for USC to try harder to establish and build its reputation. Taking on UConn helps any college basketball program that can beat the former dynasty power and one of the sport’s undisputed heavyweights. Are you doing it on the go? Even better.

EARLY INJURY

USC scored 45 points in three quarters against Notre Dame. There were 42 points scored in the first half against UConn. The Trojans’ offense slowed in the second half, but those 42 first-half points gave USC a 13-point halftime lead and allowed the Trojans to overcome 13 poor minutes in the second half. JuJu Watkins established a rhythm in the first half before UConn and Geno threw more bodies at them in the second half. USC didn’t win the game in the first half, but it certainly put itself in a good position and left itself room for error.

KIKI IRIAFEN HAPPENED

A lot of people will focus on the 16 points, and that was important against UConn, but Kiki Iriafen’s biggest contribution might have been her 6 assists. She created angles and openings on the floor that exposed UConn’s defense. This might be the biggest team development this game has to offer. Iriafen passing for baskets instead of shooting could make it even more difficult for opponents to guard USC in the future. Iriafen teaming up with Rayah Marshall and throwing passes across the defensive line could be devastatingly effective if done more regularly for USC.

OTHER PLAYERS

JuJu Watkins vs. Paige Bueckers deservedly grabbed the headlines at USC vs. UConn, and JuJu made big plays for the Trojans. However, USC would not have won this game without the contributions of the bench and supporting staff. JuJu (25) and Kiki (16) combined for 41 points, but everyone else delivered 31. It wasn’t a 2-on-5 game. USC received contributions from seven players, all of whom made a difference.

LINDSAY GOTTLIEB jumps back

Lindsay Gottlieb didn’t practice well against Ole Miss and Notre Dame. They, not just their players, needed a big game against Geno Auriemma and UConn. Gottlieb delivered. USC played with more intensity and concentration than UConn in the first half. The Trojans’ defense was out of control in the first half, holding UConn to 29 points. UConn rallied in the second half, but in the final minutes USC made good plays, moving the ball up the court and attacking UConn from the top down rather than from the wings. The use of the high post – near the elbow areas of the pitch – was a smart move that did not go unnoticed.

EFFECTS OF VICTORY, PART ONE

USC just earned an elite victory, a victory that will help a team land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans were also able to compare UCLA’s big win over South Carolina to a big win of their own. That puts USC and UCLA on equal footing when they head into the Big Ten regular season on the other end of Christmas Day.

EFFECTS OF VICTORY, PART TWO

USC took a big step toward No. 1, but more than that, recruits across the country watched this game on Fox Sports right after a big NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. This game got a lot of attention, especially because the College Football Playoff game between Tennessee and Ohio State was a blast. Many recruits followed this competition. The win gives USC new momentum in recruiting for the future. As they say, “USC is the place.”

JUJU WATKINS IS THE TRUTH

Kiki Iriafen played well. Lindsay Gottlieb trained well. The supporting cast made contributions. The bank offered real added value. But all of these realities are secondary to USC’s best player. JuJu Watkins made big late shots and three foul shots in the final minute to give the Trojans the win. She mastered double teams and blitzes and made the clever pass to set up a teammate. Watkins’ mastery of the game and his greatest moments put USC on top on the road against a worthy opponent. This is what a superstar player looks like.

The stars played like stars. USC’s best players were worth this moment.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: JuJu Watkins, Lindsay Gottlieb and Kiki Iriafen all attend USC