In a normal year, the focus before Southern California and UConn meet in a game with a Final Four spot on the line might be on the teams rather than individual players.
A school in the women’s NCAA Tournament regional final for the first time in 30 years versus the dominant powerhouse of the sport reaching a familiar place despite dealing with injuries.
However, this year is different. This time, the attention is on the impressive freshman JuJu Watkins and the determined Paige Bueckers.
The coach of USC, Lindsay Gottlieb, believes that star players drive the storylines in sports, even though it's USC against UConn, and LSU against Iowa. She thinks having stars in these games makes people want to watch, just like the NBA took off when there were recognizable faces like Magic, Larry, and Michael Jordan.
On Monday night, the top-seeded Trojans will compete against the No. 3 seed UConn in the Portland 3 Region final, the second of two exciting games that starts with Caitlin Clark and Iowa playing Angel Reese and defending champion LSU in Albany, New York.
This is USC's first appearance in the regional final since 1994, and the Trojans have not reached the Final Four since 1986.
For UConn, this is the 28th time in the Elite Eight and the chance at a 23rd Final Four trip, despite facing injuries this year.
While the broader picture of the game is significant, many people will be watching Watkins and Bueckers, even if they're not always playing against each other.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed that it seems like a return to the old days for USC, noting the long period they've been away from the spotlight. He acknowledges the impact that one player or coach can have, expressing his wish for both teams to win.
Watkins is the key player for USC. Bueckers mentioned being impressed by the entire freshman class this season, but particularly with 18-year-old Watkins, who has shown confidence and composure in her first year while contributing in various ways for the Trojans. In USC’s Sweet 16 win over Baylor, Watkins scored 30 points, marking the 14th time this season.
Watkins highlighted Bueckers' pace as something that stands out about her. She plays hard and relentlessly, but in a controlled manner.
Watkins mentioned that surveying the court and making the right plays are key to being a great basketball player. She admires Bueckers' ability to slow the game down and make the right plays.
Last season, Bueckers was recovering from a major knee injury during the Sweet 16, ending UConn’s streak of 14 consecutive Final Fours. This season, Bueckers has been determined to get UConn back to that stage, showing a quiet determination that is sometimes hard for Auriemma to gauge.
Geno Auriemma, the coach, compared Paige to other players he has coached. He said she is unique because she doesn't show off her talent or act like she's the best. Unlike other players, she keeps it inside and only shows it when necessary. He believes she went to UConn to win a national championship.
