USC Trojans JuJu Watkins Joins Elite Company In NCAA Tournament: March Madness History

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins has been having a stellar season and is not slowing down. In the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, Watkins joined Kelsey Mitchell as the only players in NCAA women's basketball history to surpass 1,700 points in ther first two seasons.

Angela Miele | Mar 24, 2025

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game against the UNC Greensboro Spartans at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is on to the second round. The No.1 USC Trojans took down the No. 16 UNC Greensboro Spartans, 71-25. USC guard JuJu Watkins played through two injuries and still managed to make NCAA Women’s Basketball history.

The USC Trojans struggled to start the game offensively but picked it up by the second quarter. Watkins led the Trojans in scoring against UNCG with 22 points. Not only did Watkins lead the team in scoring, she joined an elite company in the history books.

Ahead of the matchup, Watkins had 1,684 total points in her two seasons with the USC Trojans. In the third quarter of the game, when Watkins reached 17 points, the USC star reached 1,701 points. Watkins joined former Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kelsey Mitchell as the only two players to record over 1,700 points in their first two seasons.

In Mitchell’s first two seasons with the Buckeyes, she tallied 1,762 points. Surpassing Mitchell's points will be challenging, but something to watch for during USC's tournament run. Mitchell currently plays guard for the Indiana Fever alongside former Iowa Hawkeye guard Caitlin Clark, who broke numerous records during her collegiate career.

After the game, Watkins spoke about knocking the rust off offensively and stepping up in the game, and being better moving forward.

“It’s just knowing we could be better. Like Kiki said, we had some rust to get off so hopefully that’s all done with and, you know, we can really head into this next matchup with our best versions of ourselves,” Watkins said.

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Not only did Watkins join Mitchell in women’s basketball history, Watkins jumped up the USC all-time scoring leaderboard. Watkins surpassed Pam McGee, who had 1,705 total points. Watkins now stands at No. 6 with 1,706 points, behind Cassie Harberts with 1,832. USC legend Cheryl Miller leads the Trojans women’s basketball all-time points with 3,018.

Watkins is having a big year with the Women of Troy. The USC guard leads the team averaging 24.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 steals. She also averages 1.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Watkins is heavily discussed for her ability to play offense, but Watkins is a strong defensive player and it was seen throughout the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament so far. This is an element of her game that will help advance the Trojans through the tournament

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) guards UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watkins is just a sophomore and one of the most notable women’s college basketball players. As a freshman, Watkins set the all-time scoring record by a freshman with 920 points. She will likely break many more records for the Trojans, and potentially help lead them to an NCAA Tournament championship.

The USC Trojans have not won an NCAA Tournament since 1984, also winning in 1983. The Women of Troy were eliminated in the Elite 8 last year by the UConn Huskies. USC is looking to make a further push this year.

The USC Trojans will face the Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 24 at 7 p.m. PT at Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16 against the Kansas State Wildcats.

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