JuJu Watkins Injury – USC women’s basketball suffered a devastating blow in their 96-59 victory over Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. JuJu Watkins, the team’s star freshman and a favorite for National Player of the Year, suffered a torn ACL in her right knee during the first quarter, abruptly ending her season and leaving USC’s championship hopes uncertain.
Watkins, who had been unstoppable all season, was driving down the court on a fast break when she collapsed between two defenders. The crowd of 7,808 inside the Galen Center fell silent as she clutched her knee in pain. Minutes later, she was carried off the court and taken for an MRI, which confirmed the worst-case scenario—her season was over.
Watkins’ Injury: The Moment That Shook USC
The injury occurred early in the first quarter when Watkins attempted to split two defenders on a fast break. She suddenly fell, gripping her right knee as tears streamed down her face.
USC’s athletic trainers rushed onto the court, and after a tense moment, she was carried off through the nearest tunnel. Teammates gathered around, praying for their leader, as the crowd’s energy turned from excitement to stunned silence.
USC guard Talia von Oelhoffen described the emotional scene:
“She always has cameras on her, so my first thought was to block them. It wasn’t a great moment, and we just wanted her to know we were there for her.”
JuJu Watkins Injury ‘s Impact on USC’s Championship Run
Despite the emotional setback, USC regrouped and delivered a dominant 96-59 win over No. 9 seed Mississippi State to advance to the Sweet 16.
USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb admitted she was shaken by the injury but pushed through to lead her team:
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor crying. This is a human game. I tried my best to be what the team needed, but internally, it was a lot.”
Dan Hurley Slams Officiating After UConn’s Loss to Florida in NCAA Tournament
Next Matchup: USC vs. Kansas State
With Watkins sidelined, USC faces No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16.
- Kansas State defeated Kentucky 80-79 in overtime to reach its first Sweet 16 since 2002.
- The team is led by 6-foot-6 center Ayoka Lee, who averages 15.6 points per game and shoots 64.1% from the field.
- K-State also hit 15 three-pointers in their last game and boasts an efficient, pass-heavy offense.
Could USC Still Face UConn in the Elite Eight?
Before her injury, a highly anticipated USC-UConn rematch was expected in the Elite Eight.
- The teams played in last year’s regional final, where UConn won 80-73 despite Watkins’ 29 points and 10 rebounds.
- In their December 2024 rematch, Watkins led USC to a 72-70 win, dropping 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Now, with Watkins gone, UConn is the favorite to advance, making USC’s path to the Final Four significantly harder.
Brett Gardner’s Son, Miller, Dies at 14 – Yankees Community Mourns Tragic Loss
How USC Will Adjust Without Watkins
1. Kiki Iriafen Becomes the Go-To Star
With Watkins out, Kiki Iriafen will take on the primary scoring role.
- She dropped a career-high 36 points against Mississippi State.
- Last season, she put up 41 points in Stanford’s NCAA Tournament win.
- She dominated despite Mississippi State throwing double-teams at her all night.
Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell had high praise for Iriafen:
“We threw everything at her—double-teams, traps, zone defense—but she never stopped. She’s an elite player.”
Canada vs USA: Canada Defeats USA in Nations League Clash – What’s Next?
2. Veteran Leadership Steps Up
With Watkins sidelined, other USC stars must step up:
- Rayah Marshall – Senior forward, experienced leader.
- Malia Samuels – Defensive specialist, disrupts ball handlers.
- Freshman trio (Kennedy Smith, Avery Howell, Kayleigh Heckel) – All scored in double figures.
Gottlieb remains confident in her team’s ability to compete:
“We’re still a great team. We have depth, experience, and we’ll fight every game.”
How Watkins’ Injury Impacts College Basketball
1. NCAA Tournament Landscape Shifts
With Watkins, USC was a title favorite. Without her:
- UConn becomes the favorite in USC’s region.
- South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas remain dominant title contenders.
- Teams like Notre Dame and LSU could also make a deep run.
2. Watkins’ Future & Recovery Timeline
ACL recovery usually takes 9-12 months, meaning Watkins might not play next season.
- If she misses 2025-26, she could return in 2026-27, then declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
- If she recovers quickly, she could return midseason in 2025-26.
- Before the injury, she was on pace to break Caitlin Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record.
3. Who Steps Up as College Basketball’s Next Star?
With Watkins sidelined, new stars emerge:
- Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) – Elite scorer, tough defender.
- Lauren Betts (UCLA) – Dominant post player.
- Madison Booker (Texas) – One of the best two-way guards.
While Watkins will be missed, women’s college basketball remains loaded with talent.
Final Thoughts: Can USC Still Make a Deep Run?
Losing Watkins is devastating, but USC is still dangerous.
- If Iriafen dominates, and
- If veterans step up,
Then USC could still push for a Final Four berth.
But without Watkins, the path to a national title is much harder.
Follow TNN for the Latest Updates
Stay updated with the latest news on JuJu Watkins injury, USC basketball, college sports, and more. Follow TNN for the latest updates on US news, Canada news, politics, business, finance, tech, and more.
One thought on “JuJu Watkins Injury: USC Star Suffers Torn ACL, NCAA Title Hopes in Jeopardy”