USC Star JuJu Watkins’ Injury Changes NCAA Tournament

The university lost star guard JuJu Watkins for the season on Monday night, and that could change who makes it out of the Spokane region.

JuJu Watkins of the USC Trojans after an injury against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Galen Center in Los Angeles on March 24, 2025. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

One region in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament changed in a second on Monday night when USC sophomore star guard JuJu Watkins tore her ACL.

“I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor crying,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told reporters after a 96–59 win over Mississippi State on Monday. “This is a human game, so I obviously tried my best to be what I need to be for the team, but internally it’s a lot.”