JuJu Watkins and the University of Southern California women’s basketball team started their 2023-24 season with a bang, upsetting Ohio State on the road. This was just the beginning of what would be a memorable and historic campaign.
Episode six of “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins,” a new NBC Sports documentary series presented by State Farm, recaps Watkins’ impressive freshman season at USC, including an intense November practice, a victorious home opener, a huge Selection Sunday party and a special March Madness run.
After beating Ohio State, USC returned home to prepare for their home opener against Florida Gulf Coast, a team that finished 33-4 and won an NCAA tournament game the season prior.
“Coming off the Ohio State win, coming back home for our home opener against Florida Gulf Coast, we have to get back to business,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “We have to focus on the basics. We have to keep getting better.”
They did just that at practice, working on their footwork, their set offenses and their transition plays, while the coaching staff attempted to ground an excited group.
“We as coaches, you are always thinking about the next thing to stress out about,” Gottlieb said. “Certainly, coming off a big win, we are going to be concerned if we are too high or too overhyped for our first home game.”
Emotions were high on the court. After turning the ball over three plays in a row, practice was stopped and players had to run sprints.
“Handle your emotions and play basketball. Go!” associate coach Beth Burns shouted at her team.
The energy at practice was just an appetizer for the game ahead. Watkins, a Los Angeles native, was ready for her first college basketball game at home.
“I don’t even know what to expect, but I just know that I am going to feel that feeling of being home, that feeling of why I’m here and why I committed,” Watkins said.
With Vanessa Bryant, Candace Parker and thousands of fans in attendance, USC hosted a pregame celebration to honor the 40th anniversary of USC’s first women’s basketball championship. Cheryl Miller, the Most Outstanding Player of the 1983 NCAA tournament, got a huge ovation when introduced.
“It means everything,” Watkins said. “That is why I am here, honestly. That is why we are all here, to really solidify ourselves and make a name for ourselves with this program.”
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Once the festivities concluded, USC and Florida Gulf Coast tipped off, and the home team struggled out of the gate. The Eagles started the game on a 9-0 run, using their lack of size to their advantage.
“I am telling you, it is super hard to guard small people, because they just run everywhere,” Watkins said.
But Watkins started to heat up, leading the Trojans on a 14-2 run to help them take the lead for good. The freshman finished with 18 points and seven rebounds in the 67-51 victory.
“I have always dreamed of, ever since I committed, what the first game would be like at home,” Watkins said. “For it to be my first year of college basketball, and little girls specifically are wearing my jerseys, it is just really all I could ask for.”
This was the first of many wins for Watkins and the Trojans. Her regular season included a USC-record 51-point outing in a road upset over Stanford and a 42-point performance in a home win over Colorado. Watkins and the Trojans hit a crescendo when they again upset Pac-12 regular-season champion Stanford in the conference tournament final to win their first conference title since 2014.
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Watkins’ magical campaign put USC in a great position on Selection Sunday. Not only was her team poised to earn back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances for the first time since 2006, but they would likely earn a No. 1 seed for the first time since 1986, when Miller led the Trojans to the national championship game as a senior.
USC celebrated the occasion by hosting a giant Selection Sunday party at the Founders Room in Galen Center. Students, players, coaches, family members and fans attended.
“I didn’t expect so many people to be there. A lot of family, a lot of fans,” Watkins said.
Gottlieb addressed the large crowd, saying she was happy for her players but nervous about making the USC community proud.
“It is just mind-blowing when you think about where the season started or what the last couple of years here have been like, and where we have come,” Gottlieb said.
Eventually, the moment when Watkins and USC found out their future finally arrived. USC was a No. 1 seed, and the crowd went crazy.
“It was just great, but I think for me, I was just locked in. I didn’t care who we played,” Watkins said. “As long as we made it, and we made it, for sure.”
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They didn’t just make it. The Trojans earned the right to kick off March Madness in front of their fans at Galen Center. No. 16 seed Texas A&M Corpus Christi was coming to town.
Watkins recorded 23 points, five rebounds and four assists in the 87-55 win, setting up a second-round matchup with Kansas in Los Angeles.
“We came out and we handled business, and JuJu, as she’s become accustomed to, shoulders a big burden, shoulders a lot of weight, makes it look easy,” Gottlieb said. “She and her teammates helped us get through that first round.”
The freshman scored USC’s first seven points of the second round, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Trojans to a 73-55 victory over the Jayhawks. Watkins was heading to the Sweet 16.
“Kansas was a bit of a dog fight. We were in control most of the game. But they are a Big 12 school, and we knew they weren’t going to go away,” Gottlieb said. “It was an incredible feeling in here. It was truly our last game in Galen.”
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A duel with No. 5 Baylor was up next, and Watkins stepped up to the challenge.
Her 30 points helped USC pull away late, securing a 74-70 victory and spot in the Elite Eight for the first time in 30 years.
But all good things must come to an end. Paige Bueckers and UConn were waiting for USC in the Elite Eight, and they sent the Trojans home with an 80-73 defeat. Watkins scored 29 points in the loss to secure the record for the most points by a freshman in NCAA Division-I history.
“It hurts. It’s just heartbreaking,” Gottlieb said. “That type of loss is going to sting and hurt for a very long time until you get the opportunity to get to a place like that again.”
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Two weeks later, it was time to honor Watkins for a fantastic season at the John R. Wooden Award ceremony in Los Angeles. While star Iowa guard Caitlin Clark was honored as the most outstanding women’s college basketball player, just being at the event was enough for Watkins.
“John Wooden, what he was able to do for sports in general was great,” Watkins said. “So, to be recognized in that manner is always a blessing.”
It was the cherry on top of one of the best individual seasons in women’s college basketball history. And Watkins can only go up from here.
“My freshman year was a great start,” Watkins said. “Looking toward next season, I am excited for a national championship, because we can definitely do it.”
How can I watch the “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” documentary on NBC and Peacock?
Episodes one through five of “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” are currently available on Peacock. New episodes are available every Saturday.
Episodes three through six will air on Sunday, Dec. 29, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. ET, on NBC.
How can I watch USC basketball games on Peacock?
You can watch Big Ten basketball games by first subscribing to Peacock. Then, either go to PeacockTV.com/Sports in your web browser or download the Peacock app on your phone, tablet or streaming device and navigate to the Sports section. See below for the list of USC women’s basketball games that will be streaming on Peacock:
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Northwestern vs. USC – Jan. 15 at 10:00 p.m.
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USC vs. Indiana – Jan. 19 at 12:00 p.m.
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USC vs. Purdue – Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
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Minnesota vs. USC – Jan. 30 at 10:00 p.m.
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USC vs. Wisconsin – Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
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UCLA vs. USC – Feb. 13 at 10:00 p.m.
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Michigan State vs. USC – Feb.19 at 9:30 p.m.
Are all Big Ten Basketball games available to watch on Peacock?
Peacock will stream 56 men’s basketball games and 26 women’s basketball games across the 2024-2025 season. Peacock subscribers can also watch the first rounds of both the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament and Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament live.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Students, now you can get Peacock at a special discount — just $1.99 per month for 12 months. Visit Peacock to learn more and get started!
