If you hop on social media during a big game, you'll see it. Two fanbases, thousands of miles apart, arguing over who owns two simple letters. Is it the Trojans in Los Angeles? Or the Gamecocks in Columbia? Honestly, the "Real SC" debate used to just be a fun Twitter argument until USC women’s basketball SC became a literal scheduling event.
Last November, these two giants finally stopped talking and started playing.
But this isn't just about a name. It's about a massive shift in how the game is played. We are currently living through an era where the University of Southern California isn't just "the team with the superstar." They are trying to build a machine that survives even when the stars aren't on the floor.
What’s Actually Happening with JuJu Watkins?
Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately because it’s the first thing everyone asks. If you follow the Trojans, you know that JuJu Watkins is the sun that the entire USC solar system orbits around. She didn't just break records as a freshman; she shattered the ceiling of what people expected from a first-year player.
Then the 2025 NCAA Tournament happened.
The ACL tear against Mississippi State changed everything. For the 2025-26 season, the Trojans are in a weird, transformative space. JuJu is officially out for the year, focusing on recovery. It’s a massive blow. You don't just replace 24 points and nearly 4 assists per game with a single person.
Kinda sucks, right? But here is the nuance: Lindsay Gottlieb isn't treating this like a "gap year."
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Instead of folding, the Trojans have leaned into a "positionless" system. They’re faster. They’re more chaotic on defense. Without one player taking 25 shots a game, the offense has become this fluid, hard-to-scout beast. It’s a different kind of USC women’s basketball SC experience than what we saw last year.
The "Real SC" Series and the Dawn Staley Factor
The term "USC women’s basketball SC" often leads people into the South Carolina rabbit hole. And for good reason. Dawn Staley has built a dynasty that basically everyone else is trying to copy.
The inaugural "The Real SC" game at Crypto.com Arena this past November was more than a game. It was a branding masterclass. South Carolina came in as the #3 team in the country, riding the momentum of their 2024 title. Meanwhile, a JuJu-less Trojan squad had to prove they belonged on the same floor.
- The Vibe: It felt like a heavyweight title fight.
- The Result: South Carolina took the first round, but the Trojans showed a defensive grit that surprised a lot of experts.
- The Future: The rematch is already set for November 15, 2026, in Greenville.
People get this wrong all the time—they think the rivalry is bitter. It’s actually built on a ton of mutual respect between Gottlieb and Staley. They both know that when these two programs are elite, the entire sport wins.
The Big Ten Transition: It’s Not Just UCLA Anymore
Transitioning to the Big Ten was supposed to be a "welcome to the grind" moment for USC. And yeah, it’s been tough. Traveling to places like Minnesota and Illinois in the dead of winter is a world away from the sunny Pac-12 road trips of the past.
As of mid-January 2026, the Trojans are sitting at 10-5. That doesn't sound like "world-beater" status, does it? But look at the context. They are currently 13th in a loaded Big Ten standings.
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Wait. 13th?
Yeah, it sounds bad. But the Big Ten is currently a meat grinder. UCLA is at the top, followed closely by Michigan and Iowa. The Trojans have dropped some heartbreakers—like that one-point loss to Minnesota recently—but they’ve also beaten ranked teams like Nebraska.
The logic here is simple. Gottlieb is playing the long game. She brought in transfers like Londynn Jones from UCLA and Kara Dunn from Georgia Tech. She’s giving freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson the keys to the car. Davidson was recently named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25, which tells you everything you need to know about her ceiling.
Why Recruiting Is the Secret Sauce
If you want to know why the "SC" brand is going to stay relevant for the next decade, look at the 2026 signing class.
USC just landed Saniyah Hall, the #1 recruit in the country. Let that sink in. They also grabbed Sitaya Fagan, a 6'4" powerhouse from Australia who is expected to join the team this month (January 2026) to start training.
When JuJu returns for the 2026-27 season, she won't be coming back to a depleted roster. She’ll be joining a squad that includes:
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- Saniyah Hall (The next big thing)
- Jazzy Davidson (A year of experience as "the girl")
- Kennedy Smith (A defensive stopper with a gold medal)
This is how you build a program that doesn't disappear when a star graduates or gets hurt. You stack talent on top of talent.
Addressing the "SC" Identity Crisis
Let’s talk about the search intent for a second. When you type in USC women’s basketball SC, you might be looking for the Gamecocks or the Trojans.
The reality is that both programs have valid claims to the initials. The University of South Carolina was founded in 1801. The University of Southern California followed in 1880. If we’re going by age, the Gamecocks win.
But if we’re going by cultural impact in the NIL era? The Trojans are making a very loud case. Between JuJu’s Nike deals and the Hollywood backdrop, USC (West) is the glitziest program in the country.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Trojans right now, don't get discouraged by the middle-of-the-pack conference standing. This is a "bridge" year in the truest sense.
- Watch Jazzy Davidson: She is the barometer for how far this team can go in the tournament. If she plays like an All-American, they can make a run.
- Track JuJu’s Recovery: Every update matters. Her health dictates the 2027 national title odds.
- Look at the Defense: USC is winning games with grit right now, not just highlight-reel buckets. That’s a sign of a well-coached team.
The real "SC" debate isn't going away. It's actually getting better. With the home-and-home series continuing into late 2026, we’re going to see these two versions of "SC" dominate the headlines for years.
To keep up with the latest, follow the Big Ten network for the Trojans' conference slate or SEC Network for the Gamecocks' run. The next few months will determine if the JuJu-less Trojans can pull off a "shock the world" moment in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season:
- Monitor the Big Ten Standings: Watch if USC can climb into the top 8 to secure a better seed for the conference tournament.
- Scout the 2026 Recruits: Look for Saniyah Hall's high school highlights to see how she’ll fit into the positionless system.
- Mark the Calendar: November 15, 2026, is the date for the "Real SC" rematch in Greenville.