USC's JuJu Watkins Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury During NCAA Tournament

March 25, 2025 – The #USCTrojans women’s basketball team secured a commanding 96-59 victory over Mississippi State in the second round of the 2025 #NCAAW Tournament on Monday night, punching their ticket to the #Sweet16. However, the triumph was overshadowed by a devastating #BasketballInjury to star guard #JuJuWatkins, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the second quarter. The injury, confirmed by USC medical staff post-game, has sent shockwaves through #MarchMadness and left the Trojans’ championship aspirations hanging in the balance.

Watkins, a sophomore phenom and first-team All-American, had been the heartbeat of #USCWBB this season. Averaging 27.1 points per game entering the tournament, she was widely regarded as one of the most dynamic players in college basketball. Her electrifying scoring ability and leadership had propelled the No. 1 seed Trojans to a 28-5 regular-season record and a Pac-12 title. Against Mississippi State, she managed 12 points before exiting, clutching her knee in visible pain after an awkward landing on a drive to the basket.

Despite the loss of their superstar, the Trojans rallied in stunning fashion. Senior forward Kiki Iriafen stepped into the spotlight, delivering a career-high 36 points—a USC NCAA Tournament record—along with 12 rebounds. Contributions from guard Talia von Oelhoffen (18 points) and freshman sensation Kennedy Smith (14 points) underscored the team’s resilience, ensuring their advancement in a game that could have easily slipped away.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised her squad’s resolve post-game: “JuJu is our leader, our spirit. To see her go down was heartbreaking, but this team showed what they’re made of. We’re not done yet.” Gottlieb confirmed Watkins would undergo surgery in the coming weeks, effectively ending her sophomore campaign and leaving her NCAA future uncertain as she faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.

The Trojans now turn their focus to the #Sweet16, where they’ll face No. 5 seed Kansas State on Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m. PT, broadcast on ESPN. Kansas State, riding a hot streak after upsetting No. 4 seed Oklahoma in the second round, presents a formidable challenge with their aggressive defense and balanced scoring attack. Without Watkins, USC’s path to the Final Four—their first since 1986—and a potential national championship, their first since 1984, grows steeper.

For fans and analysts, Watkins’ injury reshapes the #MarchMadness landscape. USC had been a favorite in the Albany 1 region, but her absence opens the door for teams like No. 3 seed UConn, led by Paige Bueckers, to capitalize. Watkins, a Los Angeles native whose star power transcended the court, was more than a player—she was a cultural force, drawing sellout crowds and elevating women’s basketball’s visibility.

Teammate Iriafen, now thrust into a leadership role, vowed to honor Watkins’ legacy: “This is for JuJu. She’d want us to keep fighting.” As the Trojans regroup, the question looms: can #USCWBB defy the odds without their supernova? The answer begins Saturday in the #Sweet16.