South Carolina have started the season like a well-oiled machine. Chloe Kitts' return and Tessa Johnson's usual brilliance have cemented Dawn Staley's team as early title favourites. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, right? USC will relish the challenge in its upcoming matchup against South Carolina, knowing it wields the talent to make a big championship statement.
With two ranked opponents defeated, the Gamecocks are already building up championship momentum. Wins against Maryland and North Carolina were hardly statement victories, but the difficulty of the fixtures has allowed Staley to pinpoint any early-season weaknesses her squad is exhibiting.
Joyce Edwards has started her junior year in fine form, averaging 15.3 points and 6 rebounds per game, shooting 46.3 percent from the floor. Ashlyn Watkins is again making a big defensive impact off the bench, recording 7.7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.3 blocks per game. South Carolina's roster is as deep as ever, and it's difficult to disregard their championship credentials.
USC should be excited by the prospect of facing such a formidable foe. The Trojans have a high-quality roster ready to compete in the latter stages of the postseason.
The Trojans are ready to make a big statement
It's now-or-never for USC. Well, that's slightly dramatic, but if this is JuJu Watkins' final year in college, the programme is unlikely to boast a generational talent in the near future. Of course, USC is such a force to be reckoned with because of its collective excellence. Watkins' partners in crime, Jazzy Davidson and Saniyah Hall, are growing in stature with each passing game.
There aren't many more productive trios in the NCAA right now. Question marks surrounded how Watkins would fare playing alongside two players who also demanded the ball in their hands, but the stars' chemistry has been almost instantaneous.
Watkins is leading the team in four major categories, averaging 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game. But her teammates aren't far behind. Davidson and Hall have averaged 19.7 points and 22 points per game, respectively. Most importantly, the duo is making their presence felt defensively, ensuring USC has a stable foundation.
On paper, it could be argued that the Trojans have more individual talent in their starting lineup than South Carolina. As we all know, that doesn't win basketball games. This is as much a test of USC's depth and coaching as it is for their star players. Overcoming Staley is a nigh-impossible task, but to make matters worse, each rotation they make is almost as productive as the last.
South Carolina must be considered a championship frontrunner. USC has nothing to lose, but everything to gain in this matchup. Although it is still early in the season, a victory would validate USC's championship credentials while showcasing the immense talent of its star trio.
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