This was a big game for USC women’s basketball. Not only did the Trojans have a chance to beat top-15 opponent Oregon State on the road; they learned before tipoff that Oregon State star post player Raegan Beers would not play due to an injury. Oregon State probably deserved to be favored with a fully intact lineup, but Beers — who has given USC all sorts of problems with her defense and rebounding — needed to be on the floor for Oregon State to maintain an edge. Without her, USC had an opening to do something. Could the Trojans take advantage? Yes.
There’s a lot to unpack from Sunday’s 58-50 USC win in Corvallis. Let’s go through the details of the game and its significance:
3-POINT DEFENSE
Defend the 3, win the game.
Oregon State finished 5 of 23 on 3-pointers, none in either the 2nd or 3rd quarters, only two in the 4th. #USC
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
MCKENZIE FORBES WITH BIG BUCKETS AND BOARDS
McKenzie Forbes is stepping up in the 4th Q, again.
Seen it many times this season. #USC
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
JUJU WATKINS EFFORT AT BOTH ENDS
There’s an anti-JuJu Watkins troll here on Twitter who just asked why anyone would want to play with JuJu.
Simple answer: She plays her butt off on D even when she’s 5 of 26 from the field through 3 quarters. She’s a winner and a great teammate.
Everyone wants to play with JuJu— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
GREAT D OVERCOMES POOR SHOOTING — IT STARTED EARLY
If anyone told you that JuJu Watkins would make just 4 of 20 shots, that McKenzie Forbes wouldn’t score a point, and that USC would shoot 27% in the first half, you likely would not have predicted USC would lead by 6.
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
GAME-LONG THEME
JuJu Watkins is 4 of 22 midway through the 3rd quarter.
USC leads by 13.
What does that tell you about this team and this defense from the Gottlieb-Burns braintrust?
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
RAYAH MARSHALL TAKES ADVANTAGE OF RAEGAN BEERS’ ABSENCE
PAC-12 STANDINGS UPDATE
USC moves to 20-4 on the season. The Trojans are now 10-4 in the Pac-12, part of a 3-way tie for second place with Oregon State and Colorado.
Stanford now has a 2-game lead in the loss column for first place.
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
PAC-12 TIEBREAKERS
PAC-12 TOURNAMENT
If USC can beat Colorado and Utah this next weekend in the Galen Center, the Trojans should get the No. 2 seed at the Pac-12 Tournament. https://t.co/sqFupWlFLm
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
HOSTING MARCH MADNESS AT THE GALEN CENTER
USC probably needs just 2 more wins (no more than 3) to lock up a top-4 seed in the 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
As @Adam_Bradford14 has noted, a top-4 seed means #USC *hosts* NCAA tourney games at the Galen Center on the opening weekend.
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
NCAA TOURNAMENT SEED UPDATE
NO. 1 SEED? POSSIBLE!
If USC can beat both Utah and Colorado next weekend in Galen, the Women of Troy have a shot at a No. 1 seed. That is in play as a result of this Oregon State win. https://t.co/t5XYX0S4ii
— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
NCAA TOURNAMENT OPENING ROUND — FILE AWAY THE DATES!
With @USCWBB now very likely to host NCAA Tournament games at the Galen Center (not a lock just yet, but getting very close!), mark down these dates:
March 22 and 24 (Friday-Sunday)
March 23 and 25 (Saturday-Monday)That’s when USC might *host* NCAAT games.
Tell your friends!— USC Trojans Wire (@TrojansWire) February 18, 2024
