You know those games that feel like they’re over before the first media timeout? That’s basically what happened when the USC vs Mississippi State women's basketball matchup hit the floor in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Expectations were sky-high. You had JuJu Watkins, the face of the sport's new era, leading a top-seeded USC Trojans team against a gritty, defensive-minded Mississippi State squad. Most of us expected a chess match between Lindsay Gottlieb’s tactical brilliance and Sam Purcell’s high-energy SEC defense.
Then everything went sideways.
The Five Minutes That Changed Everything
Five minutes into the game, the Galen Center went quiet. Like, library quiet. JuJu Watkins, who had already knocked down three free throws, went down with what looked like a serious knee injury.
She was carried off. In that moment, if you were a Mississippi State fan, you probably thought, "This is it. The door just swung wide open." If you were a USC fan, you were likely looking for the nearest exit or at least a stiff drink.
But sports are weird. Sometimes losing your best player doesn't deflate a team; it turns them into a buzzsaw.
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Instead of crumbling, the Trojans went on an absolute tear. They didn't just win; they dismantled the Bulldogs. By the end of the first quarter, it was 28-8. By halftime? 50-27. Honestly, it was one of the most clinical responses to adversity I've ever seen in college hoops.
Why USC vs Mississippi State Women's Basketball Became the Kiki Iriafen Show
If JuJu is the lightning, Kiki Iriafen became the entire thunderstorm.
The Stanford transfer proved exactly why Gottlieb fought so hard to get her in the portal. She finished with 36 points on 16-of-22 shooting. It wasn't just that she was scoring; it was how she was doing it. She was bigger, stronger, and frankly just more polished than anyone Mississippi State could throw at her.
Mississippi State usually prides itself on being "State Tough." They’ve got Jerkaila Jordan, a graduate guard who can score from anywhere, and Madina Okot, a 6'6" presence in the middle. But they had no answer for Iriafen’s mobility.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Final Score: USC 96, Mississippi State 59.
- The Turnover Gap: USC forced 20 turnovers. In a high-stakes tournament game, you simply can't survive that.
- Freshman Impact: Avery Howell stepped up big time with 18 points, proving the Trojans' recruiting class wasn't just JuJu and a bunch of role players.
- Shooting Splits: USC shot over 52% from the field. Mississippi State struggled to hit 31%.
The Bulldogs are a good team—they finished the season 22-12 and have a solid foundation under Sam Purcell. But they ran into a team that was playing for something bigger than just a win. They were playing for their fallen star.
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The Tactical Edge: Gottlieb vs Purcell
Sam Purcell is the only coach in Mississippi State history to start his tenure with three straight 20-win seasons. The guy knows how to build a program. He relies on a physical, SEC-style of play that usually wears teams down.
But Lindsay Gottlieb brought that NBA-style spacing to USC. She’s a tactical nerd in the best way possible. Even without Watkins, the Trojans' offense didn't stagnate. They used the high post to isolate Iriafen and let their shooters like Talia von Oelhoffen and Kennedy Smith stretch the floor.
Mississippi State tried to go zone to protect the paint, but Avery Howell just kept knocking down triples. It was a "pick your poison" scenario where every bottle was labeled "Loss."
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There's a narrative that USC is a "one-girl team." This game killed that myth.
While JuJu Watkins is a generational talent, the 96-59 blowout showed that the Trojans have depth that rivals the best programs in the country. You don't beat an SEC team by 37 points without a complete roster.
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Mississippi State, on the other hand, isn't as far off as the score suggests. They ran into a buzzsaw at the worst possible time. Earlier in their history, back in 2016, the Bulldogs actually beat USC 76-72. The programs have a history of competitive play, but the gap in 2025 was purely about execution and depth.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're following USC vs Mississippi State women's basketball or just women's college hoops in general, there are a few things to keep an eye on moving forward:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Kiki Iriafen is the poster child for how a single transfer can change a program's ceiling. If you're a Bulldogs fan, look for Purcell to be aggressive in the portal to find that elite interior scorer.
- Freshman Development: Keep an eye on Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell. Their poise during the Watkins injury was the real story of the game.
- Defensive Identity: Mississippi State needs to find a way to stay "tough" without fouling. They sent USC to the line 23 times in that matchup.
The 2025 meeting was a statement. It told the rest of the country that USC wasn't just a highlight reel—they were a juggernaut. For Mississippi State, it was a harsh lesson in the level of play required to reach the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Next Steps for the Teams
If you're tracking these teams into the 2025-2026 season, look at the health of JuJu Watkins first. Her recovery timeline will dictate the Big Ten standings. For Mississippi State, the focus is on the freshman class—specifically Madison Francis, who is already making waves as a premier shot-blocker in the SEC.
Check the upcoming schedules for both teams to see if a regular-season rematch is on the horizon, as these two programs are clearly on a collision course for national relevance over the next few years.