The energy around the Galen Center feels different lately. You can practically smell it in the air—a mix of high-stakes pressure and that specific brand of Hollywood hype that only happens when a program finally wakes up after a long nap. Honestly, for about two decades, USC Trojans women's basketball was the sleeping giant of the college game. We all remember the Cheryl Miller days, sure, but for a while there, the "Women of Troy" were mostly a nostalgia act.
Not anymore.
Basically, if you haven't been paying attention for the last 24 months, you’ve missed a complete demolition and reconstruction of the program. Lindsay Gottlieb didn't just come back from the NBA to coach; she came back to dominate. And with JuJu Watkins becoming a household name before she even finished her freshman year, the conversation has shifted from "Can they be good?" to "How many titles will they win?"
The JuJu Watkins Effect: Beyond the Hype
Look, we have to talk about JuJu. It’s impossible not to. Most people think she’s just a high-volume scorer, but that’s where the misconception starts. Last season, Watkins didn't just break records; she shattered the ceiling for what a freshman could do, racking up 920 points—an all-time national record for a first-year player.
She’s a 6'2" guard who plays with a sort of relentless, almost mean streak on the court. You've seen the 51-point game against Stanford, right? That wasn't a fluke. It was a statement. But the real nuance in her game is the defensive side. People forget she was a finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. She blocks shots like a center and picks pockets like a veteran.
Unfortunately, the 2024-25 postseason took a dark turn when she tore her ACL in the NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State. It was one of those moments where the whole arena just went silent. But that brings us to where the team is right now in the 2025-26 season.
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Dealing with the "Sophomore Slump" and Injury
Coming into this year, everyone was worried. How does USC Trojans women's basketball survive without their supernova at 100%?
- The Recovery: JuJu has been working her way back, and while the early 2025-26 stats show a bit of rust, she's still the gravity that pulls every defense toward the paint.
- The Support: This isn't a one-woman show anymore. Kennedy Smith, who won gold with Team USA at the FIBA AmeriCup over the summer, has stepped up massively as a sophomore.
- The New Blood: Jazzy Davidson, the nation's former No. 1 recruit, is already making a case for the Wooden Award midseason watch list.
Why the Move to the Big Ten Changed Everything
If you’re still thinking of USC as a Pac-12 school, you’re living in the past. The move to the Big Ten was a massive gamble that has already paid off in ways people didn't expect. Last season, the Trojans didn't just survive the transition; they won the Big Ten regular-season title outright with a 17-1 conference record.
Think about that.
They walked into a league with Iowa and Ohio State and Maryland and just took the trophy. It wasn't "pretty" basketball all the time. It was gritty. The Big Ten is a physical, bruising conference where you have to play in cold gyms in the middle of January. Gottlieb has built a roster that actually thrives in that environment.
The 2025-2026 Reality Check
Right now, the Trojans are sitting at a bit of a crossroads. As of mid-January 2026, they've had some tough breaks. A narrow 63-62 loss to Minnesota and a frustrating outing against Oregon have shown that the target on their back is huge. Teams aren't scared of the jersey anymore; they’re motivated by it.
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The schedule hasn't been kind. They’ve already faced UConn, South Carolina, and Notre Dame. They lost to UConn 79-51 in December, which was a bit of a reality check for the fans who thought this team was invincible. But that’s the thing about Lindsay Gottlieb’s philosophy—she schedules the hardest games possible so that by March, her team is calloused.
The Recruiting Juggernaut No One Talks About
While everyone is watching the highlights on SportsCenter, the coaching staff is quietly assembling the most terrifying roster in the country. It’s not just JuJu. It’s the fact that they keep landing the No. 1 recruits year after year.
Saniyah Hall recently committed to the Trojans for the 2026-27 season. That means USC has secured three No. 1 high school prospects in four years. If you’re an opposing coach, that’s a nightmare. You’re not just game-planning for a star; you’re game-planning for a dynasty.
The roster is deep now. You’ve got:
- Londynn Jones: A senior who can light it up from three.
- Rayah Marshall: (Wait, she was the anchor, but let's look at the current rotation).
- Kiki Iriafen: The grad transfer who was an absolute force before moving on, leaving a gap that the younger forwards like Vivian Iwuchukwu and Laura Williams are desperately trying to fill.
What's Next for the Women of Troy?
Success for USC Trojans women's basketball isn't just about winning games; it's about reclaiming the identity established by Cheryl Miller and the McGee twins in the 80s. They want those banners.
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To get there, they have to fix the defensive lapses that have cost them in Big Ten play recently. The loss to UCLA (80-46) earlier this month was a "burn the tape" kind of game. It was ugly. It was embarrassing. But it also might be the wake-up call a young team needs before the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis this March.
The next few weeks are critical. With matchups against Maryland, Iowa, and Indiana on the horizon, we’re going to find out if this 2026 squad has the same DNA as the group that made back-to-back Elite Eight runs.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the team this season, keep an eye on these specific areas:
- JuJu’s Efficiency: Watch her shooting percentages rather than just the point totals. As she gets her legs back under her, her mid-range game is the barometer for the team's health.
- The Freshman Growth: Jazzy Davidson is the key. If she can consistently be the second scoring option, the Trojans are a Final Four lock.
- Home Court Advantage: The Galen Center has become a fortress. Pay attention to the attendance numbers—the "Women of Troy" are currently top 15 in the country for home attendance, which changes the officiating and the energy in close games.
The road to the 2026 Final Four is paved with Big Ten road trips and physical defense. The era of USC being a "soft" West Coast team is officially over. Whether they can turn this talent into a third national championship remains the biggest question in college sports, but one thing is certain: nobody is overlooking them anymore.
Check the upcoming schedule for the Maryland game at the Galen Center on January 15. That’s where the season will likely turn one way or the other. If they can defend home court against a top-10 Terrapins team, the momentum will be back in their favor.