Honestly, walking into the Galen Center right now feels different. It’s 2026, and the air around USC Trojans women's basketball has shifted from the frantic, highlight-reel hysteria of last season to something a bit more... complicated.
Most people outside of South Central Los Angeles probably think the program hit a brick wall the second JuJu Watkins announced she’d be sitting out the 2025-26 season. You've heard the talk. People saying the "spark" is gone or that Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad is just "waiting for next year."
They’re wrong.
Basically, what we’re seeing is a masterclass in program-building that doesn’t rely on a single superstar to keep the lights on. It’s messy. It’s a 10-6 record as of mid-January. It’s a four-game losing streak that recently saw the Trojans drop heartbreakers to UCLA and Minnesota. But if you're actually watching the games, you'll see a team that is navigating the most brutal schedule in the country while laying the foundation for a legitimate dynasty.
The Reality of the JuJu Watkins "Gap Year"
Let's address the elephant in the room. JuJu Watkins is the face of college basketball. When she decided to focus on recovery from that season-ending injury sustained in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a lot of casual fans checked out.
But here’s the thing: USC didn't just fold.
Coach Gottlieb didn't recruit a bunch of role players to stand around and wait for JuJu. She brought in Jazzy Davidson, the top-tier freshman who is currently leading the team with 16.4 points per game. Davidson isn't "JuJu Lite." She’s a 6-foot-1 guard with a passing eye that makes you wonder if she has literal mirrors on her peripheral vision. She’s averaging 6.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists, essentially doing a little bit of everything to keep this engine running.
The transition to the Big Ten hasn't been a walk in the park. Not even close.
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"We think we have the best class in the country and the best duo in the country," Gottlieb said back in November.
She wasn't just talking about the kids on the court now; she was talking about the future that’s already arriving. Sitaya Fagan, the 6-foot-4 powerhouse from Australia, just joined the squad this January. She’s not just a "big." She's what Gottlieb calls "positionless." You’ll see her bringing the ball up one play and then swatting a shot into the third row the next.
Current Standings and the Big Ten Grind
If you look at the Big Ten standings right now, USC is sitting at 12th. Yeah, it looks ugly on paper. 2-3 in conference play. But look closer at who they’ve played. They beat No. 9 NC State early on. They took a swing at No. 1 UConn and No. 2 South Carolina.
They aren't losing because they lack talent. They’re losing because they are young and playing in a conference where every Tuesday night feels like a Final Four matchup.
The roster is a mix of veteran grit and freshman "let's see what happens" energy:
- Kara Dunn: The senior guard is the stabilizer, chipping in 13 points a night.
- Londynn Jones: Another senior who provides that 5-foot-4 spark plug energy and 11.6 points per game.
- Kennedy Smith: A sophomore who has stepped up as a primary playmaker with 3.7 assists per game.
Why the Defense is Actually Scarier Than Last Year
Last year was about the offensive explosion. This year? It’s about the grind. USC Trojans women's basketball is currently ranked 5th in the nation in blocked shots. Let that sink in. They are averaging 6.4 blocks per game.
It’s a switch-heavy, "get in your face" style of defense that thrives on length. Between Fagan, Davidson, and the 6-foot-3 Vivian Iwuchukwu, the Trojans have a frontline that makes the paint look like a no-fly zone.
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Honestly, the offensive rating is struggling (ranked 142nd), and they aren't shooting the lights out from the free-throw line (66.8%). That’s where the 10-6 record comes from. They’re losing close games because they can’t find a bucket in the final two minutes. That 63-62 loss to Minnesota on January 11th? That’s a game they win with a healthy JuJu, sure. But it’s also a game that forces players like Jazzy Davidson to learn how to be "The One" before the stakes get even higher.
The Recruiting Juggernaut Nobody Talks About
While the 2025-26 season is a battle, the 2026-27 season is already being won in the recruiting offices. Gottlieb has been on a tear.
She landed Saniyah Hall, the No. 1 recruit in the country for the Class of 2026. Hall is a 6-foot-1 guard from Ohio who just set the USA U19 scoring record at 19.9 points per game.
Imagine a 2026-27 lineup that features:
- JuJu Watkins (Redshirt Junior)
- Saniyah Hall (Freshman)
- Jazzy Davidson (Sophomore)
- Kennedy Smith (Junior)
- Sitaya Fagan (Sophomore)
That isn't just a good college team. That’s a WNBA developmental squad.
What Really Happened With the Big Ten Move?
The move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten was supposed to be a challenge, but nobody predicted this level of physicality. USC is currently 2nd in the nation in Strength of Schedule. They aren't padding their record with cupcakes.
The travel alone is a beast. One week they’re in Lincoln, Nebraska (where they actually pulled off a huge 74-66 win in December), and the next they’re back in LA getting humbled by a No. 4 UCLA team.
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There's a misconception that the Trojans are "down." They aren't down; they're just adjusting to a world where they don't have a 24-point-per-game safety net in Watkins. It’s forcing the role players to find their own identity.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following the Trojans, don't just look at the wins and losses. That’s for people who don't understand the game.
- Watch the Davidson-Fagan chemistry. As Sitaya Fagan gets integrated this month, her ability to play off Davidson will determine if USC makes a run in the Big Ten Tournament.
- Focus on the 4th quarter turnovers. The Trojans are averaging 13.8 turnovers per game. If they cut that down to 10, those one-point losses turn into three-point wins.
- Monitor the "JuJu" updates. While she’s out, her presence on the bench and in the locker room is basically like having an extra coach. Watch how the younger guards respond to her leadership.
The goal this year isn't a national title. It’s about surviving the gauntlet so that when the 2026-27 season starts, this team is battle-hardened and ready to reclaim the top spot in the AP Poll.
Upcoming Key Matchups
Keep an eye on the January 29th game against Iowa. It’s at home. It’s a chance to snap the current skid and prove that even without their superstar, the Galen Center is still a house of horrors for visiting teams. After that, games against Michigan State and Michigan will define whether this team stays in the middle of the pack or pushes for a higher seed in the conference tourney.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Track the Big Ten Standings: Look for USC to climb into the top 10 of the conference as the freshmen gain more experience.
- Review the Freshman Stats: Jazzy Davidson’s shooting percentages are the metric to watch; as she gets more comfortable, her efficiency should rise above the current 40.2% team average.
- Check the Injury Reports: Ensuring the rest of the roster stays healthy during this physical Big Ten stretch is paramount for a postseason push.
The season is far from over, and the future of USC Trojans women's basketball is brighter than the box scores suggest.