Basketball in Los Angeles has always been about the stars. But honestly, if you’re looking at the usc girls basketball schedule right now, you aren't just looking for a celebrity sighting at the Galen Center. You’re looking for survival. The Trojans have officially entered the meat grinder of their first-ever Big Ten season, and it has been anything but a Hollywood script so far.
People keep asking why the schedule looks so different this year. Basically, the move to the Big Ten changed everything. No more quick hops up to the Bay Area or weekend trips to the Rockies. Now, it’s cold winters in Minneapolis and late-night flights to East Lansing. It is a grind.
The January Gauntlet: No Room to Breathe
If you’ve been following the scores, you know January has been brutal. Just this past week, the Trojans suffered a heartbreaking 63-62 loss to Minnesota. It was one of those games that keeps coaches up at night. USC actually hit 14 three-pointers—a season high—and Kara Dunn went off for 27 points. But they still lost.
That’s the reality of the new conference. Every night is a fistfight.
Looking ahead, the usc girls basketball schedule doesn't get any easier. On Thursday, January 15, No. 12 Maryland comes to town. The Terps are high-flyers, averaging 87 points a game. USC is currently sitting at 10-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play. They desperately need a home win to stop the bleeding before they head back out on the road.
💡 You might also like: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Here is the immediate look at what’s coming up:
- January 15: vs. Maryland (Galen Center) – This is a massive "prove it" game on Peacock.
- January 18: vs. Purdue – A Sunday matinee back at home.
- January 22: at Michigan State – Back to the cold for a Thursday night tip in East Lansing.
- January 25: at Michigan – A quick turnaround in Ann Arbor.
- January 29: vs. Iowa – The Hawkeyes are coming to LA, and tickets are already disappearing.
The JuJu Factor and the New Blood
It’s impossible to talk about the schedule without talking about the roster. We all know JuJu Watkins is the engine. She’s the reason people tune in. But this year, the supporting cast is fascinatingly weird and talented.
You’ve got Jazzy Davidson, the freshman who is already playing like a vet. She dropped 15 in a single quarter against Minnesota. Then there’s Londynn Jones, the senior guard who provides that "don't-blink" speed.
One thing most people get wrong about this team is thinking they’re just a one-woman show. Kinda. But not really. When Kara Dunn is hitting five threes like she did on Sunday, USC is almost impossible to guard. The problem hasn't been the scoring; it's been the turnovers. Against Minnesota, they coughed it up 17 times. You can't do that in the Big Ten. You just can't.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Transitioning to a New World
Lindsay Gottlieb has built something special here, but the transition to the Big Ten is a culture shock. Most of the teams on the usc girls basketball schedule this year play a physical, Big-style game. It's slower. It's grittier. USC wants to run.
Watching how they adapt to these different styles is the real story of the season. When they play a team like Maryland, it’ll be a track meet. But when they play Rutgers on February 1st? That’s going to be a defensive slog.
How to Actually Watch the Games
Let’s be real: finding the games is a headache. Since the move to the Big Ten, the broadcast rights are split all over the place.
- Peacock: You’re going to need this. A lot of the big conference matchups, like the Maryland game, are exclusive to NBC's streaming service.
- Big Ten Network (BTN): This is the workhorse. Most of the mid-week games live here.
- FOX/FS1: They’ve been putting the Trojans on national TV quite a bit. The home game against South Carolina earlier this season was a huge FOX showcase.
- The Galen Center: If you’re in SoCal, just go. The atmosphere has shifted. It feels like a pro game now.
What Really Matters for the Postseason
The Trojans aren't just playing for wins right now; they’re playing for seeding. The Big Ten Tournament is set for March 4-8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
👉 See also: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
To get a favorable draw, USC needs to finish in the top four of the conference. Right now, they’re on the outside looking in. The loss to Oregon and the one-point heartbreaker to Minnesota hurt, but the back half of the usc girls basketball schedule gives them chances to make it up. They still have to play UCLA again, and that rivalry game at the end of the season usually decides everything.
If they can split the Michigan road trip and take care of business at home against Purdue and Rutgers, they’ll be fine. If they keep dropping these one-possession games? It’s going to be a very long flight to Indianapolis in March.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- February 8: at Illinois – A sneaky tough road game.
- February 12: vs. Indiana – The Hoosiers play a very disciplined style that frustrates USC.
- March 1: vs. UCLA – The regular-season finale. It’s always personal.
Honestly, this team is still finding its identity. They’re 10-6. That’s not where people expected them to be, but they’ve played one of the hardest schedules in the country. The "girls" moniker is often used, but these are grown women playing some of the most physical basketball I've seen in years.
If you're planning to follow along, keep an eye on the defensive rebounding. That’s been the Achilles' heel. In the Minnesota game, they got out-rebounded 40-32. You give up 18 offensive boards, you lose. It's simple math.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Check your Peacock subscription before Thursday night; the Maryland game tips off at 6:00 PM PT (9:00 PM ET) and it’s arguably the biggest home game of the month. If you’re looking for tickets to the Iowa or UCLA games, buy them now. The secondary market prices are already spiking as the "JuJu Effect" continues to draw massive crowds regardless of the team's record. Keep a close watch on the injury report for Kennedy Smith and the rotation depth, as the heavy travel schedule is starting to take its toll on the starters' minutes.