If you’re still thinking of women’s college basketball as just a one-team show or a regional curiosity, you haven’t been paying attention. The atmosphere during the recent UConn vs USC WBB matchups hasn't just been loud; it’s been transformative. We are watching the birth of a cross-country rivalry that feels less like a scheduled non-conference game and more like a heavyweight title fight.
Honestly, it’s about time.
For decades, UConn was the sun that every other program orbited. Then came the West Coast resurgence. When USC hired Lindsay Gottlieb, they weren't just looking for a coach; they were looking for an identity. They found it in a generational talent named JuJu Watkins, and suddenly, the path to a national title started running through Los Angeles as much as it did through Storrs.
The Elite Eight Heartbreak and the Hartford Revenge
To understand why people are losing their minds over UConn vs USC WBB, you have to look back at the 2024 Elite Eight. That game in Portland was a masterpiece of tension. Paige Bueckers was coming off years of injury hell, looking to prove she was still the best player in the country. On the other side was JuJu Watkins, a freshman who played with the poise of a ten-year pro.
UConn won that one 80-73.
It was a classic Geno Auriemma masterclass—throwing double teams at JuJu, making her work for every single inch of hardwood. Watkins broke the all-time freshman scoring record that night, but the Huskies walked away with the ticket to the Final Four. You could see the frustration on the USC bench. It wasn't "just happy to be here" energy. It was "we owe you one."
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Fast forward to December 21, 2024. The Trojans traveled to a packed XL Center in Hartford. Most teams walk into that arena and crumble under the weight of those eleven national championship banners. Not USC. They jumped out to an 18-point lead.
UConn, being UConn, clawed all the way back to take a lead late in the fourth. In years past, the Huskies would have stepped on their throats. But this USC team is different. JuJu Watkins stayed calm, Rayah Marshall hit a massive layup, and the Trojans escaped with a 72-70 win. It was UConn's first home loss to a non-conference opponent in what felt like forever, and it officially signaled that the power dynamic in the sport had shifted.
Why the Bueckers vs Watkins Matchup is Different
We love a good individual battle. Bird vs Magic. Clark vs Reese. But UConn vs USC WBB gives us Bueckers vs Watkins, which is a different flavor of elite.
Paige is the surgeon. Her game is built on efficiency, incredible passing lanes that shouldn't exist, and a jump shot that looks the same every single time it leaves her hand. In that December loss, she still put up 22 points, showing that even on an "off" night, she’s the focal point of everything UConn does.
JuJu is the force of nature. She’s 6-foot-2, can handle the ball like a point guard, and has a physical strength that most guards can't match. When they guard each other—which happened for long stretches in their last meeting—it’s a chess match. Watkins finished that December game with 25 points, including the clutch free throws to ice it.
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The respect between them is real, too. They’ve sat courtside together at other games. They talk. But on the court? It’s pure competitive vitriol.
The Coaching Connection Nobody Talks About
There is a weird, almost familial link between the two sidelines. Lindsay Gottlieb didn't just stumble into being a great coach. When she was a high school player in New York, Geno Auriemma was actually recruiting her best friend, Hilary Howard.
Geno didn't think Lindsay was good enough to play for UConn (a fact he jokes about now), but he "charmed" her to try and get to her friend. It didn't work—Hilary went to Duke—but the bridge was built. Gottlieb ended up working UConn summer camps. She sat in the stands during the 90s, watching the "explosion" of the program firsthand.
When you watch USC play now, you see those UConn fingerprints. The aggressive defensive rotations, the emphasis on high-IQ play. It’s like Gottlieb took the blueprint Geno built and added a California swagger to it.
Roster Depth: It’s Not Just a Two-Woman Show
If you think UConn vs USC WBB is only about the stars, you’re missing the actual reason these teams are top-five mainstays.
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- Kiki Iriafen (USC): The Stanford transfer changed everything for the Trojans. She provides a veteran interior presence that allows JuJu to breathe. Her 16 points and 11 rebounds against UConn in December were arguably more important than JuJu's scoring.
- Sarah Strong (UConn): The freshman sensation for the Huskies. She’s already playing like a senior. Against USC, she matched Paige with 22 points and grabbed 13 boards. She is the future of the program.
- Rayah Marshall (USC): The defensive anchor. She doesn't need to score 20 to impact the game. Her ability to alter shots at the rim is what kept UConn from completing their comeback in Hartford.
- Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold (UConn): The backcourt engine. Their speed in transition is what fuels those 10-0 runs that UConn is famous for.
What This Means for the Future of WBB
The 2024-25 season has been a whirlwind. UConn eventually got their revenge in the 2025 Elite Eight, winning 78-64 to head to their 24th Final Four. They went on to win the whole thing, beating South Carolina in the final.
But the "loss" for USC wasn't a step back. It was a consolidation.
The fact that these two teams are now scheduled for a home-and-home series—with UConn headed to Los Angeles next—means we get to see this rivalry grow in real-time. It’s not a fluke. It’s not a one-off tournament draw. It’s a deliberate clash of titans.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking to follow the next chapter of UConn vs USC WBB, here’s what you should keep an eye on:
- Watch the Shooting Percentages: In their matchups, the team that shoots over 45% from the floor almost always wins. These are two of the best defensive teams in the country; clean looks are rare.
- Monitor the Health of Azzi Fudd: UConn is a different team when Fudd is healthy and spacing the floor. Her absence in past matchups allowed USC to collapse on Paige.
- Follow the Recruiting Trail: Both programs are finalists for the top three recruits in the 2026 class. Where those players land will determine if this rivalry lasts a decade or just a few years.
- Check the Travel Schedule: West Coast teams traveling East (and vice versa) often struggle with shooting rhythm in the first quarter. Look for "slow starts" if you're betting the live over/under.
The rivalry is set. The stars are in place. Whether you’re a die-hard Husky fan or part of the Trojan family, this is the gold standard of the sport right now.