Watkins’ Injury Overshadows USC’s Dominant Win
USC’s championship hopes took a devastating hit as star guard JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of the Trojans’ 96-59 victory over No. 9 seed Mississippi State in the second round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. The school confirmed Watkins will undergo surgery, officially ending her standout freshman season.
JuJu Watkins sustained a season-ending injury in the NCAA Second Round on Monday night. She will undergo surgery and then begin rehabilitation shortly thereafter.
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) March 25, 2025
Moment of Injury Stuns Crowd
Watkins collapsed to the floor in visible pain after planting her right leg awkwardly while driving to the basket. The injury, which appeared non-contact, silenced the home crowd as teammates and head coach Lindsay Gottlieb rushed to her side. Unable to put weight on her leg, Watkins had to be carried off the court, leaving the Trojans without their top scorer just minutes into the game.
“I’m feeling a lot of emotions, obviously,” Gottlieb said postgame before the diagnosis was confirmed. “But the biggest one is pride. What a performance by this group.”
USC Rallies Behind Iriafen’s Career Night
Despite the emotional setback, the Trojans responded with a dominant effort, fueled by Kiki Iriafen’s 36-point performance. Freshman Avery Howell also stepped up, adding 18 points off the bench.
“It’s hard when you have such a key player not with you,” Iriafen said. “For us, it was just making sure we got the job done. We want our season to be extended.”
NCAA Title Hopes in Jeopardy
Watkins had been the driving force behind USC’s national title aspirations, averaging 24.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. The Trojans, a No. 1 seed, already faced one of the toughest paths to a championship, and her absence significantly dims their chances.
Up next, USC faces No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16. If they advance, potential matchups against No. 2 UConn, No. 1 UCLA, and No. 1 South Carolina loom large. Watkins accounted for over 30% of USC’s scoring, making the road ahead even more daunting.
Mississippi State Coach Defends Player After Foul Review
Following the injury, officials reviewed the play but ruled it a common foul. Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell defended his player’s involvement, emphasizing that there was no malicious intent.
“We don’t play to hurt, we play to compete, and that’s just an unfortunate situation,” Purcell said. “She comes from a family of loving parents. I’m sure she is remorseful and obviously didn’t want that to happen. We’re praying for [Watkins’] recovery because she’s the ultimate competitor.”
Watkins Surgery and Recovery
Watkins, who had been dealing with minor injuries to her left hand and ankle from USC’s first-round win over UNC Greensboro, was cleared for play before the Mississippi State matchup. Now, she faces a long recovery process following surgery.
For USC, the challenge is clear: regroup and push forward without their star. For Watkins, the road to recovery begins as she prepares for what will likely be a highly anticipated return to college basketball in 2026.
