JuJu Watkins discusses USC women's basketball's No. 1 seed in March Madness, more
It's officially official. JuJu Watkins is going dancing.
Watkins and USC women's basketball were tabbed as the No. 1 seed in the Spokane 2 Regional as the No. 3 overall seed in the women's 2025 NCAA Tournament on Sunday. It's the 19th appearance in the women's NCAA Tournament for the Trojans, and also the first time the Trojans were given a No. 1 seed in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1980s.
The Trojans enter the women's NCAA Tournament with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, as they are coming off a heartbreaking 72-67 loss to No. 1 UCLA in the Big Ten tournament championship game on Sunday, March 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
USC will get its March Madness run underway on Saturday, March 22 against No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro. A win against the Spartans would advance USC to the second round, where it would face either former Pac-12 foe Cal or Mississippi State.
Here's everything Watkins said Sunday after the Selection Sunday show:
JuJu Watkins on USC women's basketball earning No. 1 seed
When asked for her overall thoughts on the Trojans receiving a No. 1 seed in the women's NCAA Tournament, Watkins said it is the expectation for the program.
"That's the expectation. I think we know what we're capable of. It's just a matter of knowing who's next and tackling that day-by-day," Watkins said Sunday at USC's Selection Sunday news conference. Sunday marked the second straight season that the Trojans will be a No. 1 seed in the field of 68 under Lindsay Gottlieb, and the sixth time in program history that USC is a 1 seed.
Watkins also spoke to those around the country believing USC is inexperienced heading into the tournament.
"People have their own opinion and you can't really take that much into consideration. It's a testament to what we are building and it's going to take time," Watkins said. "Every year I think the goal is to break others' opinions."
How JuJu Watkins is approaching second March Madness berth
The 2025 women's NCAA Tournament is the second go-around for Watkins, after USC made the Big Dance last year in her freshman season.
In four games last season in the women's NCAA Tournament, Watkins averaged 27.5 points per game with 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 37% from the field.
So how is Watkins using that experience to prepare mentally for this year's tournament? Here's what she said:
"Just continuing to stay locked in. The season's super long and the plan is to go even longer than last year, (that's) for sure," Watkins said. "Just staying locked in and taking it game-by-game. That's all you can do."
Why JuJu Watkins thinks USC can make deep March Madness run
Asked why she believes USC can make a deep run in March and play for a national championship, Watkins pointed to the adversity the Trojans have overcome throughout the season.
"The trials and tribulations we've been through. This season has not been pretty. There were moments where we could have kind of given up and we didn't. Think that speaks to our resilience and just our will to want to win and play together," Watkins said.
USC entered Selection Sunday with the fourth-best odds (+525) of cutting down the nets, as previously noted by USA TODAY.
Watkins also spoke to the way USC has been able to flush a loss this past season, like its loss in the Big Ten title game vs. UCLA, and how that mindset could help contribute to the Trojans' hopeful long March Madness run.
Following each of its two regular season losses to then-No. 6 in November and Iowa in February, USC went on to have win streaks of 15 (which doesn't include the forfeit win vs. Northwestern) and nine games, respectively. To win the national championship, the Trojans, of course, have to win six consecutive games.
"It just gives us a chip on our shoulder. It was a battle (with UCLA). It was a good game and (there's) so much to go back to the drawing board and learn from," Watkins said. "We're not letting that hold us back.
"The goal is to continue to push forward. ... This is a brand-new season so we're just wiping the slate clean and we know what we need to do."
Watkins and USC will kick off their Road to the Final Four and Tampa, Florida on Saturday, March 22 against UNC Greensboro at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JuJu Watkins talks USC receiving No. 1 seed in March Madness, more
Topics
-
Women's bracket winners, losers and the path ahead for JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers
UCLA is No. 1 overall seed, but USC and UConn are together in the same regional.ESPN - 7h -
USC's Watkins signs exclusive deal with Fanatics
USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins has signed an exclusive, multiyear deal with Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles, the first women's college athlete to sign such a deal.ESPN - 2d -
NCAA women's basketball tournament: Who were No. 1 seeds for March Madness?
Here's a look at which teams were selected as No. 1 seeds for the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament:Yahoo Sports - 9h -
UCLA, South Carolina, USC, Texas earn No. 1 seeds in women's NCAA Tournament
UCLA is the top overall seed in the women's NCAA March Madness tournament.CBS News - 9h -
Women's college basketball rankings: UCLA returns to No. 1 after gutsy win over USC in Big Ten championship
After falling to JuJu Watkins and the Trojans twice this season, UCLA won when it mattered mostCBS Sports - 6d -
NC State women’s basketball to face Vermont to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
NC State women's basketball earned the No. 2 seed in the Spokane Regional for March Madness. Here's more.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Bueckers, Watkins lead women's Wooden ballot
UConn's Paige Bueckers, USC's JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo headline the top 15 women's players on the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
Big Ten Tournament: UCLA storms back from double-digit deficit, beats JuJu Watkins, USC in championship game
With the win, the Bruins are now the projected No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - Mar. 10 -
UCLA lands NCAA's No. 1 overall women's seed
UCLA, South Carolina and Texas, who all had a turn at No. 1 this season in the Associated Press poll, joined USC on Sunday as the top seeds in the women's NCAA basketball tournament, which will ...ESPN - 8h -
USC, UConn in same March Madness regional? NCAA selection committee must hate fun
JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers are on a collision course to meet short of Final Four, an epic blunder by the selection committee, Nancy Armour writesYahoo Sports - 7h -
Watkins becomes first women’s college athlete to sign with Fanatics sports merchandise platform
The Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles sports merchandise platforms announced a multi-year deal Friday with Southern California women's basketball star JuJu Watkins. Fanatics said Watkins is the ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
LSU women's basketball gets No. 3 seed for NCAA Tournament, will play San Diego State
LSU women's basketball is a No. 3 seed in the March Madness bracket. The Tigers will face SDSU in round one of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Duke women’s basketball to face Lehigh to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
Duke women's basketball just won its first ACC tournament championship in 12 years, and now the Blue Devils head into March Madness as a No. 2 seed.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Michigan State women's basketball gets 7-seed in March Madness, will play Harvard
Michigan State women's basketball (21-9) will be a 7-seed in the NCAA tournament and face Harvard in the first round.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Michigan women's basketball a 6-seed in March Madness, will play Iowa State or Princeton
Michigan women's basketball (22-10) will be a 6-seed in the NCAA tournament and face the winner of Iowa State and Princeton in the first round.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
March Madness men's basketball tournament bracket set
Auburn is the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Duke, Houston and Florida joining the Tigers on the No. 1 line in the March Madness bracket.CBS News - 9h -
Bracketology for USC women's basketball before Selection Sunday
After falling to UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, the Trojans should still be a No. 1 seed.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Texas Tech basketball's March Madness potential hinges on health, not seed line | Giese
When healthy, the Texas Tech basketball team has shown it can beat anybody in the country. Having everybody healthy in March Madness matters more than seed:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Your printable NCAA women's bracket 2025: Make your March Madness tournament picks
The 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament field is set. Print your women's March Madness bracket and make picks here, see the schedule and more.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Texas Longhorns women's basketball awarded a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament
The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team has been named a No. 1 seed in the upcoming 2025 NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Women’s March Madness 2025 Selection Sunday: How to watch, who will be No. 1 seeds?
One of the most exciting times in sports is almost here. The 2025 NCAA Tournament starts next week with 68 teams readying for college basketball’s showcase event. South Carolina is looking to ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Could March Madness No. 1 seed be on the line for Alabama basketball vs Florida?
A spot in the SEC championship game may not be the only thing on the line between Alabama basketball and Florida Saturday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Women’s March Madness bracket prep: Strengths, weaknesses for all 68 teams, outlooks and more
So, you want to be a No. 1 seed, do you? For only the sixth time, four teams ranked No. 1 throughout the regular season (South Carolina, UCLA, Notre Dame, and Texas). Any game. Any night. An upset ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
NCAA women's basketball tournament bracket breakdown, best games, players to watch
UCLA, South Carolina, Texas and USC earned No. 1 seeds for the 2025 women's NCAA Tournament. Breaking down the regions and players to watch.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
John Beilein pained to say: Michigan State basketball should be a 1-seed in March Madness
"It hurts me to say this, Michigan State is really good; they should be a 1-seed,” John Beilein said after Spartans beat Oregon in Big Ten tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Indiana women's basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Indiana women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
How to buy Kentucky women’s basketball tickets for 2025 March Madness
Want to buy tickets for the Kentucky women’s basketball NCAA Tournament 2025 opener vs. Liberty? Here’s how, including prices for March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Women's Bracketology: UCLA retakes top position as No. 1 seeds are locked up
The Bruins refused to fall to USC a third time this seasonCBS Sports - 5d -
March Madness 2025: Printable bracket for men's and women's basketball tournaments
After months of waiting, March Madness is finally here.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
LSU women's basketball March Madness predictions: Where Tigers could land in NCAA bracket
Where LSU women's basketball's March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Indiana women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Hoosiers could land in NCAA bracket
Where could Indiana women's basketball be headed in the NCAA Tournament? Take a look at our March Madness predictionsYahoo Sports - 1d -
UVM women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Cats could land in NCAA bracket
Where Vermont women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
FGCU women’s basketball March Madness prediction: Where Eagles could land in NCAA bracket
Where FGCU women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Alabama women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Crimson Tide could land in NCAA bracket
Where Alabama women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Where OU women's basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions on Selection Sunday
Oklahoma women's basketball will be in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Here are OU's latest March Madness bracket predictions.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
USF women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Bulls could land in NCAA bracket
Where USF women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
UCLA, South Carolina, Texas and USC claim top seeds in women's NCAA Tournament
When the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament begins Friday, the UCLA Bruins will be its top overall seed.NBC News - 10h -
UNC women’s basketball to face Oregon State to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
UNC women's basketball has made its fifth straight NCAA Tournament field. See who the Tar Heels face, predictions, updates and more.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
March Madness: Breaking down the race for NCAA men's tournament No. 1 seeds
Auburn remains the clear-cut No. 1 overall seed and Duke seems like a lock, but the other two spots are up for grabs heading into conference tournament week.Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 14m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 14m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 17m