The air inside Pauley Pavilion on January 3, 2026, felt different. It wasn’t just the usual Crosstown Showdown energy that makes your skin crawl in the best way possible. It was the weight of a rivalry that had just spent a year redefining what West Coast basketball looks like in a Big Ten world.
UCLA won. Actually, they didn't just win; they dismantled USC 80-46.
If you were looking for a nail-biter, you picked the wrong Saturday. This was a statement. It was the kind of game that reminds everyone why Cori Close has been preaching "culture" for a decade, even when the results didn't always match the hype. For the Trojans, it was a sobering reality check in a season that has felt more like a transition than a triumph.
The Gap Is Getting Weird
Most people expected this to be the "JuJu Watkins Era" of USC dominance. And honestly, last year, it sorta was. USC swept the regular season meetings in 2024-25, including that 80-67 win right here in Westwood that gave them the Big Ten title. But things change fast in college sports.
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The biggest elephant in the room on January 3rd? JuJu wasn't on the floor.
Injuries are the worst part of this game. Without Watkins, Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad looked like a group of incredibly talented individuals still trying to find their collective soul. UCLA, meanwhile, looked like a machine. Lauren Betts is 6-foot-7 and plays even bigger than that. She finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, basically treating the paint like her own private backyard.
Kiki Rice was the engine. She’s a senior now. You can see it in how she handles the ball—no wasted movements, no panic. She dropped 14 points and grabbed 9 boards, but it was her defense that really broke USC’s spirit.
Moving to the Big Ten: A Messy Success
Let’s talk about the travel for a second because it's basically the only thing coaches talk about off the record.
Moving to the Big Ten seemed like a cash grab to some, but for UCLA vs USC wbb, it actually raised the stakes. Now, they aren't just playing for local bragging rights; they’re playing for seeding in a tournament that happens in Indianapolis, thousands of miles away.
Lindsay Gottlieb mentioned earlier in the season how the "crazy quilt" of scheduling and insane travel has turned these college kids into de facto pros. You're flying to Minneapolis one week and Bloomington the next. It’s exhausting.
- The 2025 Impact: USC took the Big Ten crown last year.
- The 2026 Shift: UCLA currently looks like the conference favorite.
- The Talent Pipeline: Both teams are still pulling top-five recruits like Jazzy Davidson (USC) and Sienna Betts (UCLA).
It’s a weird dynamic. These girls are friends. Jazzy and Sienna were teammates in the McDonald’s All-American game. Now they’re on opposite sides of the 405 freeway, trying to ruin each other's season.
The Londynn Jones Factor
One of the most awkward parts of the recent UCLA vs USC wbb history is Londynn Jones. She was a huge part of UCLA’s identity. Then, she hit the portal and ended up at USC.
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Seeing her receive her Big Ten championship ring from last year (which she won with UCLA) while wearing a USC jersey was... a lot. Cori Close is a pro, and she handled it with class, writing personal letters to Jones. But on the court? There are no friends. UCLA’s guards, specifically Gianna Kneepkens (the Utah transfer), played like they had something to prove against their former teammate. Kneepkens put up 15 points and looked completely at home in the blue and gold.
Why This Rivalry Is Different Now
For a long time, the UCLA/USC women’s game was the "other" rivalry in town. Not anymore.
The attendance numbers are skyrocketing. You’ve got legends like Cheryl Miller and Ann Meyers Drysdale showing up. The branding has caught up to the talent. When you watch UCLA vs USC wbb today, you aren't just watching a local game; you're watching two top-20 programs with legitimate national title aspirations.
UCLA’s depth is their superpower. They have six players who could realistically be drafted into the WNBA this year. Six! That’s unheard of for a single program. USC is younger, more reliant on star power, and currently struggling with the "what now?" phase of a season without their centerpiece.
Breaking Down the January 3rd Box Score
If you just look at the 80-46 score, you might think USC played terribly. They didn't. They just couldn't score.
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There was a five-minute stretch in the second quarter where the Trojans couldn't buy a bucket. UCLA’s length—with Betts and Angela Dugalić—made the rim look like a thimble. Dugalić is a graduate student now, and her ability to switch onto smaller guards is basically a cheat code for Cori Close.
Key Performers from the Jan 3rd Game:
- Lauren Betts (UCLA): 18 PTS, 12 REB. Pure dominance.
- Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA): 15 PTS. The spark plug they needed.
- Kiki Rice (UCLA): 14 PTS. The steady hand.
- Rayah Marshall (USC): She fought hard in the post but was often left on an island.
Looking Ahead to March 1st
The regular season finale is set for March 1, 2026, at the Galen Center.
If JuJu Watkins is back by then, the 34-point margin from January won't mean a thing. Rivalry games are funny like that. USC will be looking for blood, especially since that game will likely determine who gets the double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Bruins have the momentum, the health, and the experience. But never, ever count out a Gottlieb-coached team at home. They’ll adjust. They’ll find ways to mask their lack of size. It’s going to be a chess match between two of the best tactical minds in the country.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this rivalry, stop looking at the historical Pac-12 records. They don't matter anymore. The Big Ten is a physical, bruising conference where "West Coast finesse" goes to die.
- Watch the Paint: In the next UCLA vs USC wbb matchup, look at the rebounding totals. If UCLA wins the glass by 10+, they win the game. Period.
- Keep an eye on the portal: The fact that players are jumping between these two schools now means the scouting reports are deeper than ever. Everyone knows everyone’s tendencies.
- Seeding is everything: With the Big Ten being so top-heavy, avoiding a Friday game in the conference tournament is the only way to keep legs fresh for a deep March Madness run.
Check the local listings for the March 1st rematch. It’s moving to a national broadcast for a reason. This isn't just a Los Angeles story; it's the new center of the women’s basketball universe.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official Big Ten injury reports leading up to late February. The health of the USC backcourt is the single biggest variable that will decide if the next game is a blowout or a classic. Mark your calendars for the Galen Center rematch—tickets are already trending toward a sellout.