The USC women’s basketball team enters the Big Ten Conference season with a solid overall record of 9-3 after completing a challenging nonconference schedule. The Trojans secured a notable victory against Washington, winning 59-50, and are set to face Nebraska on January 1, 2024. As the No. 17 team in the AP Top 25 poll, USC will contend with seven other ranked teams in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. With star player JuJu Watkins sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL, the Trojans must adapt and strategize to make a significant impact in the conference.
Identifying Jazzy Davidson’s Potential
Freshman Jazzy Davidson has emerged as a standout player, leading the team with an average of 16.1 points per game. Her impressive court vision and basketball IQ have enabled her to excel early in her college career. Notably, Davidson leads the Big Ten with 2.4 blocked shots per game, showcasing her defensive skills alongside her offensive contributions.
Davidson faced challenges against top-ranked teams, scoring only eight points against No. 3 South Carolina and ten against No. 1 Connecticut. Despite these hurdles, she remains confident in her ability to leverage her teammates’ strengths. “I play with a bunch of really great players that can score however many they want,” Davidson stated after the win over Washington. “It really opens things up for me.”
Assessing Team Depth in the Competitive Big Ten
The Trojans’ bench has averaged 26.7 points per game, highlighting the team’s depth. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb emphasizes the importance of playing as a cohesive unit rather than focusing on individual roles. “We have competitive depth, and I think that should allow us to play really hard,” Gottlieb remarked after a victory against Cal Poly.
With three different starting lineups deployed this season, the most effective combination includes Davidson, Kara Dunn, Vivian Iwuchukwu, Malia Samuels, and Kennedy Smith, who together have achieved a 5-1 record. The team has five players scoring at least 4.5 points per game, indicating a balanced attack. Additionally, the Trojans rank 25th in the nation for turnovers, averaging 13.1 per game. This depth will be crucial, especially if the team encounters foul trouble, as seen in their narrow 61-57 win over Cal.
Londynn Jones’ Impact Off the Bench
Transferring from UCLA, Londynn Jones has adapted well to her new team, contributing significantly off the bench with an average of 12.9 points per game. Despite starting only once, her defensive skills and experience in high-pressure situations add tremendous value to the squad. Jones has averaged 1.2 steals per game, showcasing her ability to create turnovers alongside fellow guard Samuels.
Gottlieb recognizes Jones’ experience from her time in the NCAA Tournament, stating, “She’s been to where we want to go.” This experience will be vital as USC aspires to make a deep postseason run in the highly competitive Big Ten.
The Rivalry with UCLA
The USC and UCLA rivalry will reignite twice this season, with matchups scheduled for January 3, 2024, at Pauley Pavilion and March 1, 2024, at the Galen Center. Currently ranked No. 4, UCLA presents a formidable challenge, particularly with their height advantage. Center Lauren Betts, at 6-7, leads the Bruins with 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while the team averages 6-2 in height.
USC will need to strategize effectively, deciding whether to counter with smaller guards like Jones and Samuels or utilize taller forwards like Yakiya Milton and Iwuchukwu. Davidson’s presence as a 6-1 player bolsters USC’s shot-blocking efforts, as the Trojans currently rank fourth nationally with an average of 6.8 blocks per game. This defensive strength will be crucial in matching UCLA’s high-scoring offense, which averages 85.9 points per game.
As USC progresses through the Big Ten season, addressing these key questions surrounding player performance and team dynamics will be essential in their pursuit of success in conference play.
