If you were anywhere near Pauley Pavilion on January 3, 2026, you felt it. That specific, humming energy that only exists when two teams twelve miles apart decide they genuinely don't like each other. The Bruins didn't just win that night; they basically dismantled a ranked USC squad 80-46.
It was loud. It was messy. Honestly, it was a statement.
For a long time, the "Crosstown Showdown" was a footnote in the shadow of the men's programs or the football rivalry. Not anymore. Now, UCLA vs USC women's basketball is arguably the premier ticket in the Big Ten—yeah, get used to saying that—and certainly the best rivalry in the West. But if you’re just looking at the final scores, you’re missing the actual story of why this matchup has become so volatile and vital.
The JuJu Watkins Factor and the Injury That Changed Everything
You can't talk about the current state of this rivalry without talking about JuJu Watkins. Last season, she was a supernova. She dropped 38 points on UCLA in February 2024 to snap their undefeated streak, and she was the reason USC grabbed the Big Ten regular-season title in 2025.
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Then, the 2025 NCAA Tournament happened.
JuJu went down with a season-ending injury that sent shockwaves through Los Angeles. When she announced in September 2025 that she would sit out the entire 2025-26 season to recover, the power balance shifted instantly. USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has had to reinvent the Trojans on the fly. Without JuJu’s 24 points per game, the "Women of Troy" have turned to freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson and former Bruin Londynn Jones to fill the void.
It hasn't been easy.
Watching USC struggle to find offensive rhythm in their 46-80 loss to UCLA earlier this January was jarring. They looked like a team searching for an identity, while UCLA looked like a well-oiled machine.
Why the Bruins Are Owning the Glass Right Now
Cori Close has built a monster in Westwood. The Bruins are currently ranked in the top five nationally for a reason: size.
Specifically, Lauren Betts.
Standing 6-foot-7, Betts is basically a cheat code. She’s averaging 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds, but her impact is mostly psychological. Opposing guards drive into the lane, see her wingspan, and immediately think twice. In their most recent January clash, the Bruins' rebound margin was a staggering +15.6. USC simply doesn't have the height to keep up when Lauren and her younger sister, freshman Sienna Betts, are on the floor together.
It’s not just the "Betts Towers," though.
Kiki Rice has evolved into a disciplined, suffocating defender.
Gabriela Jaquez plays with a level of "crosstown" intensity that feels like she has a personal vendetta against every jersey with "SC" on it.
Recent Matchup History (The 2024-2025 Rollercoaster)
If you think UCLA has always dominated, you’ve got a short memory. Last year was a bloodbath of parity.
- Feb 13, 2024: No. 6 USC beats No. 1 UCLA (71-60). JuJu Watkins puts up 32.
- March 1, 2025: USC goes into Pauley and clinches the Big Ten title with an 80-67 win.
- March 9, 2025: UCLA gets revenge in the Big Ten Tournament Championship, winning 72-67 in Indianapolis.
That Big Ten title game was peak basketball. The Bruins trailed by 13 points and looked dead in the water. Then, Rice and Betts sparked a 22-6 run in the fourth quarter. That’s the thing about this rivalry—no lead is actually safe.
The Big Ten Transition: New Neighborhood, Same Grudge
Seeing "UCLA vs USC" on a Big Ten logo still feels kinda weird, right? But the move from the Pac-12 has actually raised the stakes. Instead of playing for West Coast relevance, these teams are now battling for seeding in a conference that includes powerhouses like Maryland and Ohio State.
The travel is brutal. The winter games in the Midwest are a slog. But when these two meet in L.A., it’s a homecoming that reminds everyone where the talent is.
What most people get wrong is thinking this is a "friendly" rivalry because the players grew up together. Half these girls played on the same AAU teams or went to the same high schools (shoutout to Sierra Canyon and Etiwanda). That actually makes it worse. There’s no "professional distance" here. They know each other’s moves, each other’s families, and exactly how to talk trash in the post.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
If you're heading to the next game or watching on Peacock, keep your eyes on the perimeter. USC's defense is actually elite at defending the three-pointer, holding opponents to about 24%. UCLA, conversely, is one of the best shooting teams in the country.
It’s a classic "strength vs. strength" scenario.
Can USC’s Jazzy Davidson find a way to score against Kiki Rice’s lockdown defense?
Will the Trojans be able to box out the Betts sisters, or will they give up 20+ second-chance points again?
Can Londynn Jones, the former Bruin, have a "revenge game" in her old gym?
Honestly, the Bruins are the heavy favorites as long as JuJu is on the sidelines. But in this rivalry, logic usually goes out the window by the second quarter.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Check the Seeding: Keep an eye on the Big Ten standings. These two are likely to meet again in the 2026 Big Ten Tournament in March.
- Follow the Injury Report: While JuJu is out for the season, any minor knock to Lauren Betts or Kiki Rice completely changes the betting line.
- Watch the Freshmen: Jazzy Davidson (USC) and Sienna Betts (UCLA) are the future of this rivalry. Their individual battle in the paint is where the game is won or lost.
The "Crosstown Showdown" has moved past the era of being a local secret. It’s national now. It’s loud. And if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that you should never, ever bet against a Bruin or a Trojan when they’re playing for the pride of Los Angeles.