It was a night that started with hope and ended in heartbreak. On March 24, 2025, the Galen Center in Los Angeles buzzed excitedly as the USC Trojans faced Mississippi State in the second NCAA women’s basketball tournament round. Fans cheered wildly, dreaming of a Final Four run—the first for USC in 40 years.
Then, just five minutes into the game, everything changed. JuJu Watkins, the team’s superstar and a hometown hero, crumpled to the floor, clutching her knee. Her screams cut through the noise, and the air vanished from the arena. What followed was a wave of boos aimed at the Bulldogs, though they weren’t to blame. The real culprit? A torn ACL that ended Watkins’s season—and maybe USC’s championship dreams.
A Star Falls, A Team Fights On
Watkins wasn’t just a player; she was the heartbeat of this Trojans squad. At 19, she’d already transformed USC basketball, bringing flair and fire to a program that had faded from its glory days. Her scoring magic—averaging 24.6 points per game—and her ability to take over in clutch moments gave fans something to believe in. That belief shattered when she went down. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb captured the raw emotion of the moment:
“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor and crying. I’m trying my best to be what the team needs, but internally it’s a lot.”
Yet, even without their star, the Trojans pulled off a stunning 96-59 win. Kiki Iriafen stepped up with 36 points, and the team’s defense swarmed like never before. It was a gritty victory, but the locker room felt more like a prayer circle than a celebration.
The Ripple Effect Beyond USC
Watkins’s injury didn’t just crush USC—it sent shockwaves through women’s basketball. She was more than a college standout; she was a national icon. You couldn’t watch a game without seeing her in commercials, dazzling with her transition moves and defensive hustle. Her absence dims the NCAA tournament’s shine, especially after a thrilling second round with overtime battles like Kentucky vs. Kansas State. Fans were hyped for a potential Elite Eight clash with UConn’s Paige Bueckers, another megastar. That dream matchup is gone, and the sport feels the void. WNBA stars like Angel Reese and Breanna Stewart took to X, posting prayers and support and showing how much Watkins means to the game.
A Pattern of Pain in Women’s Hoops
This isn’t the first time the women’s tournament has lost a big name to injury. Think back to Paige Bueckers missing 2022-23 with an ACL tear or Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles sitting out two postseasons after her knee injury in 2023. Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley dropped last year, halting their Final Four hopes. Each loss stings, but Watkins’s exit feels different. The 2025 tournament was building on the massive momentum from 2023’s Iowa-LSU title game, and she was poised to carry that torch. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said, “JuJu is raising our game with how she plays. There’s a big void without her.”
Can USC Still Dream Big?
The Trojans aren’t out yet. They’ve got talent—Kiki Iriafen’s a force, Rayah Marshall anchors the defense, and their first-year class is the best in the country. After Watkins went down, Iriafen lifted Marshall to celebrate a buzzer-beater, showing the spirit still alive in this team. Talia von Oelhoeffen said it best: “Once we lost Ju, everybody knew we had to step up and come together.” They’ll face Kansas State in the Sweet 16 on March 29, and a win could set up that UConn showdown. But let’s be honest—without Watkins, the path to a title feels steeper. She was the spark that turned good into excellent, the player who could carry them through the most demanding games.
What’s Next for Watkins and the Sport?
For Watkins, the road ahead means surgery and months of rehab. ACL recoveries typically take 8-12 months so that she might miss most of next season. At 19, she’s got time to bounce back, and her resilience is unquestioned. Look at Bueckers—she returned from her ACL tear to dominate this year. Watkins could do the same, maybe even more potent. For women’s basketball, though, the challenge is immediate. The NCAA needs a new star to step up and keep the excitement alive. Will it be Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo or UCLA’s Lauren Betts? Someone has to fill the gap.
Ultimately, Watkins’s injury is a gut punch to USC and a wake-up call for the sport. The Trojans showed they could win without her, but the bigger question lingers: can women’s basketball keep its spark without one of its brightest lights? Time will tell, but fans are left hoping for her speedy recovery—and wondering who’ll rise next. What do you think—can USC still make a miracle run without their star?