USC Star JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending Injury as NCAA Tournament Reaches Sweet 16
The 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has reached the Sweet 16, but the excitement has been overshadowed by a devastating injury to one of college basketball’s brightest stars. Southern California’s JuJu Watkins, a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Monday night’s game against Mississippi State.
JuJu Watkins Carried Off the Court in USC’s Victory
Watkins, a sophomore guard and the second-leading scorer in NCAA Division I with an average of 26.6 points per game, collapsed to the floor in the first quarter. She was seen clutching her knee in pain and had to be carried off the court.
“I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't rattled, seeing JuJu on the floor and crying,” said USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the game.
Despite losing their star player early, the No. 1 seeded Trojans dominated Mississippi State, securing a commanding 96-59 victory. Senior forward Kiki Iriafen stepped up in a major way, leading the team with 36 points. USC now advances to the regional semifinals, where they will face fifth-seeded Kansas State in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
Impact of Watkins' Injury on USC’s Title Hopes
The loss of Watkins is a huge blow to USC’s championship aspirations. The young star had been a critical part of their offense, and without her, the Trojans will need players like Iriafen and others to step up significantly. While USC remains a formidable team, their path to the Final Four just got much tougher.
Iowa Struggles in the Post-Caitlin Clark Era
Meanwhile, the Iowa Hawkeyes faced a tough end to their season, falling to Oklahoma in a crushing 96-62 defeat in the second round. A year after Caitlin Clark led the Hawkeyes to a runner-up finish in the NCAA tournament, the program struggled to adjust in her absence.
Under first-year head coach Jan Jensen, Iowa had a rocky season, including a five-game losing streak in the Big Ten. However, they managed to finish strong with 10 wins in their last 13 games leading into the tournament. Despite their resilience, the Hawkeyes couldn’t overcome Oklahoma’s high-powered offense, marking a disappointing end to their first season without Clark.
Sweet 16 Showdowns to Watch
With the field now set for the Sweet 16, one of the most anticipated matchups will be between the No. 3 seed Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET in Spokane.
UConn’s senior guard Paige Bueckers led the Huskies past South Dakota State with a career-high-tying 32 points in a dominant 91-57 win. Bueckers, who overcame an ACL injury that sidelined her for the entire 2022-23 season, is eager to lead her team back to the Final Four. The showdown against Oklahoma promises to be one of the tournament’s most thrilling battles.
Other Key Sweet 16 Matchups
In addition to the USC-Kansas State and UConn-Oklahoma games, other highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchups include:
- No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 4 Indiana: South Carolina remains undefeated and will look to continue its dominant run.
- No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 3 LSU: A rematch of last year’s Elite Eight, where LSU stunned Stanford en route to a Final Four appearance.
- No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 UCLA: Texas has been one of the most consistent teams all season, but UCLA’s defense could pose a challenge.
What’s Next in March Madness?
As the Sweet 16 begins, teams will continue their fight for a spot in the Final Four. USC, now without Watkins, will have to regroup and find new ways to win, while powerhouses like UConn and Oklahoma look to solidify their status as title contenders.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament as March Madness continues to deliver unforgettable moments.
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