The USC Trojans secured a dominant 96-59 victory over Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, but the win came with two major setbacks that left both players and coaches shaken.
JuJu Watkins’ Heartbreaking Injury
The most devastating blow came early in the game when star player JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Watkins, who had been a standout performer all season, was chasing down the basket when her right knee buckled awkwardly, sending her to the floor in pain.
The 19-year-old sophomore, who averages 24.6 points per game, immediately grabbed her knee and was clearly in distress.
The silence in Galen Center was deafening as USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb and staff rushed to her side.
The Trojans were leading 13-2 at the time of the injury.
“Seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t rattle me,” Gottlieb admitted.
A team spokesperson later confirmed that Watkins will undergo surgery followed by rehabilitation.
The entire team, as well as fans, were left hoping for her speedy recovery.
Mississippi State’s head coach, Sam Purcell, expressed sympathy as well, stating, “My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu.”
Post-Game Tensions and Rayah Marshall’s Confrontation
While the injury to Watkins was the primary focus, tensions continued after the final whistle.
USC center Rayah Marshall, who had been playing her final game at the Galen Center, was seen attempting to confront Mississippi State players during the post-game handshake line.
Washington Post reporter Ben Golliver captured the moment when Marshall, visibly upset, tried to re-engage with Bulldogs players.
USC assistant coach Wendale Farrow stepped in to calm the situation, wrapping his arms around Marshall to prevent further escalation.
The cause of the altercation remains unclear, and both USC and Mississippi State have been contacted for comment.
USC’s Resilience and Strong Performance
Despite these challenges, USC remained resilient throughout the game.
After Watkins’ injury, the Trojans played with incredible intensity.
USC’s Malia Samuels stepped up to run the offense in Watkins’ absence, despite a scare of her own when she took a hard fall in the second quarter.
Fortunately, she was able to continue playing after confirming with coach Gottlieb that she was alright.
The Trojans didn’t let the injury derail their momentum.
In fact, they celebrated a fantastic play by Marshall—a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer that extended USC’s lead to 50-27.
Marshall finished with an impressive 12 points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes of play, showcasing the team’s ability to rally even in difficult circumstances.
The Crowd’s Reaction and Support for JuJu Watkins
The mood in the Galen Center was emotional as the crowd voiced its support for Watkins.
Every time Mississippi State had the ball, the fans booed loudly, making it clear they were rallying behind their injured star.
Even the Bulldogs’ cheerleaders received boos during their halftime routine.
Mississippi State guard Jerkaila Jordan, who scored 17 points, expressed respect for the USC fans’ passion, saying, “They’re gonna stand behind their home team. They’re gonna go hard for JuJu.”
Despite the tough loss of their star player, USC managed to move forward with determination.
The road ahead will be challenging, but with a resilient team, they are poised to make a strong run in the tournament, regardless of Watkins’ absence.