JuJu Watkins knee injury changes USC vs. Kansas State in Sweet 16

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JuJu Watkins being evaluated for lower leg injury

USC Trojans’ star JuJu Watkins goes down with a painful looking injury and was take out of the game vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Sports Seriously

LOS ANGELES – Southern Cal women’s basketball will enter the Sweet 16 without their star player, JuJu Watkins. It’s doubtful No. 1 seed USC will get much sympathy from their next opponent: the Kansas State Wildcats.

No. 5 seed Kansas State outlasted No. 4 Kentucky 80-79 in overtime Monday in a second-round game. By virtue of the last-gasp victory, the Wildcats will be making their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2002.

After losing Watkins to a season-ending injury in the first quarter, USC still powered its way to a 96-59 victory over No. 5 seed Mississippi State. Based on seeding and reputation, USC (30-3) could coast when the two teams play Saturday in Spokane, Washington. But overlooking Kansas State (28-7) could be perilous for the Trojans — especially with Watkins unable to play.

The Wildcats have experience, with three seniors and a graduate student in their starting lineup. And battle-tested might be an appropriate description after Kansas State prevailed in overtime against Kentucky.

 “I think everybody just witnessed one of the great games in the tournament right now,’’ Kansas State coach Jeff Mittie said. “You go the last 10 minutes of the game, and there were just huge shots by both teams and different players.’’

The Wildcats, who finished tied for third in the Big 12, have a potent offense (79.5 points per game, 17th nationally) and a solid defense (58.6 points allowed per game, 55th nationally.) And at this point in the season, Kansas State was expected to be more formidable behind 6-foot-6 center Ayoka Lee.

In January, Lee set a single-game NCAA record for points when she scored 61 against Oklahoma. But the consensus preseason All-America missed more than a month leading up the women’s NCAA tournament because of foot injuries.

Can Ayoka Lee star…

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Source link : https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2025/03/25/juju-watkins-acl-injury-kansas-state-usc-sweet-16/82645235007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-25 10:08:00

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