After a 9-0 start to the campaign, UConn has flexed its muscles and shown superiority over any opponent that has stood in its way. Next up for the reigning NCAA Tournament champions is an USC team blessed with budding talent. A matchup with UConn is the perfect opportunity to showcase the talent that USC's young core possesses and indicate the powerhouse potential this roster has when superstar JuJu Watkins finally returns from injury.
During USC's NCAA showdown with Mississippi State in March, Watkins sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury in her right knee that will likely prevent her from returning for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Before her devastating injury, Watkins was averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks to establish herself as one of the most exciting two-way guard prospects in the entire NCAA. More impressively, the Trojans' guard was exhibiting leadership traits beyond her years, displaying that she is more than capable of being a future face of a WNBA franchise.
Despite its star player being ruled out for a significant period, USC bolstered its roster with enthralling young players who, when paired with JuJu Watkins in the future, could become one of the most dangerous college dynasties of this generation.
USC's potential knows no bounds
When it comes to college basketball, good recruitment is integral to a team's chances of success—an area in which USC has thrived in recent years. Not many signings in the entire league have come with the reputation of a five-star recruit like Jazzy Davidson, and the Trojans ensured she would be wearing their jersey for the 2025-26 campaign.
Davidson has starred on offense throughout her freshman year, recording 16.7 points, seven rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. She has shown a high level of maturity over her seven appearances and a magnificent knack for working her way into the paint to bury a shot in traffic while drawing fouls.
When coming up against UConn, Davidson will have the opportunity to truly announce herself on the collegiate stage as she faces one of the most resilient defensive guards in the country, Azzi Fudd. Not only will this test the freshman's offensive acumen, but Fudd's exceptional three-point shooting will assess Davidson's effectiveness at protecting her team's basket -- a vital attribute in championship-winning players.
In addition, USC guard Kennedy Smith is playing a key role on defense for her team, which ensures Davidson can excel on the offensive end of the floor. Smith has registered 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Smith has the tough assignment of containing Fudd when the play switches, and will also have to deal with the physical Sarah Strong if she continues to handle the ball on a large percentage of plays.
Just excite the supporters of the Trojans even further, five-star recruit Saniyah Hall and Australian prospect Sitaya Fagan are projected to link up with the team for the 2026-27 season.
Both Jazzy Davidson and Kennedy Smith are in for an arduous night when matching up against the devastating duo of Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. However, if USC's young core can claim UConn's scalp or turn in a brave performance, it can set a precedent for the future that this team can compete for a championship. JuJu Watkins' elite attributes, combined with the tremendous potential of this roster, could be enough to create history in South California.