USC and UCLA: The New Powerhouses of Women’s College Basketball
LOS ANGELES — It was a night of reflection and realization for Kevin McGuff, the head coach of the Ohio State women’s basketball team. As he sat at the podium inside the Galen Center, he took a moment to process the whirlwind his team had just experienced. The Buckeyes, who had traveled from Columbus with an impressive 20-1 record, found themselves facing two formidable opponents in Los Angeles. They suffered back-to-back losses to the undefeated No. 1 UCLA and No. 7 USC, with a combined defeat margin of 34 points over just 72 hours.
“They’re both terrific teams. They’re both extremely talented,” McGuff remarked. “They’re both deep. They’re both well coached.”
These encounters underscored a new reality in women’s college basketball: USC (21-2, 11-1) and UCLA (23-0, 11-0) have emerged as the dominant forces in the Big Ten. While expectations for the Trojans were already high, it’s the Bruins who have become the sport’s unstoppable juggernaut.
Separated by just 14 miles of L.A. freeway, both programs have ascended to the top through different paths. UCLA boasts a unique player in 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, creating mismatches across the court, while USC’s JuJu Watkins dazzles with her ability to navigate defenses effortlessly.
Both teams are eyeing March Madness with the hope of becoming the first Big Ten team to clinch a national title since 1999. Their upcoming face-off on Thursday (10 p.m. ET) is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Fans are eager to witness Betts, Watkins, and their teammates vie for bragging rights, a No. 1 seed, and conference supremacy.
“It’ll be interesting when they play each other,” McGuff noted. “I think the games are going to be very close.”
The Best Team in the Country
Inside the Mo Ostin Basketball Center at UCLA, head coach Cori Close was in full preparation mode. Her team, the last unbeaten squad in Division I women’s or men’s college basketball this season, was gearing up for the Buckeyes.
“We have to raise our level of toughness!” Close shouted during practice. “Ohio State will force us to raise our level of toughness or we’ll lose. What do you want? Choose it!”
Despite their flawless record, Close refuses to label the season as perfect. She believes there’s always room for improvement. The Bruins’ success is a testament to their hard work, but Close emphasizes that they haven’t reached their peak yet.
“I want them to enjoy it,” Close said. “But I asked them, ‘How many of you have enjoyed being No. 1?’ I said, ‘Well, what are you willing to do to protect it?'”
This season’s roster is the most intentionally built during Close’s tenure. It features a strong junior class with guards Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Londynn Jones, who have been preparing for this moment.
- Lauren Betts, a transfer from Stanford, has become the centerpiece of the team.
- Timea Gardiner from Oregon State and Janiah Barker from Texas A&M have been valuable additions.
- Freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo has provided much-needed outside shooting.
“We were very intentional about building our chemistry on and off the court,” Rice said. “We knew we had the talent that we needed. So it was just about putting it together and figuring out how we can gel the best out there on the court.”
The result is a team that can adapt and win in various ways. When opponents focus on stopping Betts, the Bruins can counter with their outside shooting. This versatility gives them a higher margin of error than in previous years.
“It can be anyone’s night at any given game, which is super fun and makes it scary for the other team to try and defend us,” Jaquez said.
Close’s team is driven by a culture of chemistry, talent, and depth. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards, even when the score doesn’t reflect it.
“It’s harder,” Close said of motivating an undefeated team. “Because my job is to sort of be the jerk and to make it uncomfortable when we are below the standard, even when the score doesn’t say it.”
“She challenges us,” senior forward Angela Dugalic said with a smile. “A lot.”
Players appreciate Close’s approach, knowing it’s part of what makes the team successful. For Rice and others who have experienced setbacks, there’s a motivation to never settle.
“The lessons that we brought into this year about falling short where we wanted to get instilled that mentality in all of us not to let up,” Rice said. “It wasn’t until very recently, when we became the only undefeated team left in the country and No. 1, that we realized where we were at.”
Close admitted that last year’s Sweet 16 loss to LSU has lingered with her.
“That was one of the most painful losses of my career, top five for sure,” Close said. “I was not my best. We didn’t play our best when our best was needed. So I had to sit with that pain of regret for a while, and then it became about how do I channel that into being more disciplined and focused on areas of growth that I thought we needed to do to make sure we don’t feel that way again.”
Close’s expectations for this team were cautiously optimistic, but she knew that if everything aligned, they had the potential to be extraordinary.
Across Town: USC’s Rise
A few days later, it was USC’s turn to face the Buckeyes. The atmosphere at the Galen Center was electric, a testament to the growing popularity of women’s college basketball in L.A. and a preview of the season’s most anticipated matchup.
JuJu Watkins is the heart of the Trojans’ game plan. Her presence on the court is undeniable, and her charisma off the court draws fans in droves.
“The gravity that she draws opens things up for other people,” head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.
USC’s strategy with Watkins is more fluid compared to UCLA’s structured approach with Betts. While Gottlieb emphasizes spacing, Watkins’ ability to attract defenders creates opportunities for her teammates, including improved 3-point shooting from freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell.
Watkins often orchestrates the offense, but this season, she has more support. Against Ohio State, she struggled initially, starting 0-for-10 and finishing 5-of-21. However, the Trojans demonstrated their depth, with Stanford transfer forward Kiki Iriafen stepping up with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
“I don’t think we were in a position last year where we win games without her scoring as much as she had to score,” Gottlieb said. “I think we have nights where there’s multiple people really clicking and that feels really good and it’s very pretty. That’s not the only way you win.”
USC’s offensive identity is clear: they thrive when Watkins is at her best. Her standout performance against No. 4 UConn, where she scored 26 points, highlighted her impact.
Defense is another cornerstone of USC’s success. They lead the Big Ten in defense, holding teams to under 70 points in 10 of their 11 conference games. UCLA, the conference’s top offense, will need to overcome this defense to win the rivalry game.
“The way in which we play is very different,” Close said. “But both teams are so good.”
“[UCLA is] a team that clearly has it clicking right now,” Gottlieb said. “We know there’ll be a lot of pride on the line.”
The Anticipation Builds
As USC celebrated their victory over Ohio State, the anticipation for their upcoming clash with UCLA was palpable. The game has been sold out since late January, and the excitement is building.
Close reflects on the growth of women’s basketball. She recalls a time when girls’ games were sidelined, but now, the sport is gaining the recognition it deserves.
“Even back then, I was just like, it doesn’t have to be that way,” Close said. “Our product has been great. So for me to see some of these tipping points happen, whether it be media rights or attendance, it’s really gratifying. And I think the best is yet to come.”
Originally Written by: Paolo Uggetti
