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5 Critical Takeaways For USC Women's Basketball: How The Trojans Will Survive The JuJu Watkins Era Hiatus In The Big Ten

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The USC Women's Basketball program is currently navigating one of the most dramatic shifts in its recent history. As of late December 2025, the No. 19 ranked Women of Troy hold a strong 8-3 overall record and are 1-0 in their inaugural season in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference. This impressive start, however, comes with a monumental asterisk: the team is operating without its generational superstar, JuJu Watkins, who is sidelined for the entire 2025-2026 campaign. The narrative for this season has instantly pivoted from national title contender to a test of coaching strategy, depth, and the emergence of new leaders.

The absence of Watkins, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, has forced Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb to completely re-engineer the team’s offensive and defensive identity. The success of the Trojans in their new conference home—the Big Ten—will be defined by how quickly the remaining roster adapts to a more balanced, team-oriented approach. This is the ultimate test of the program's foundation built over the last few years.

The Critical Shift: Navigating the 2025-2026 Season Without JuJu Watkins

The news of JuJu Watkins missing the 2025-2026 season sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. Watkins, who was a National Player of the Year candidate and the primary engine of the USC offense, leaves a scoring and playmaking void that no single player can fill. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb has been clear: the team cannot replace Watkins, but they can be the "best version of themselves" as a unit.

The new strategy focuses on collective effort, enhanced ball movement, and exploiting matchups across the court, rather than relying on one player's transcendent talent. The move to the Big Ten, which is known for its physical, deep, and methodical style of basketball, only amplifies the need for a cohesive team effort and outstanding depth.

1. The Emergence of Freshman Phenom Jazzy Davidson

The most exciting development for the Women of Troy has been the immediate and spectacular rise of freshman guard Jazzy Davidson. Heralded as the No. 1 recruit in her class, Davidson has seamlessly stepped into a star role, demonstrating elite scoring ability, court vision, and a versatile game that includes a strong midrange and off-ball three-point shooting.

  • Big Ten Recognition: Davidson has already earned multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors in the early part of the 2025-2026 season, a clear indicator of her instant impact in the new conference.
  • Scoring Prowess: Her ability to create her own shot and get to the rim has been crucial in replacing some of the lost individual scoring production.
  • Future Star: Davidson is now positioned as the face of the program for the current season, a role she has embraced with maturity and poise.

Her rapid development is not just a silver lining; it is the foundation upon which USC’s current success is being built. The Trojans are quickly becoming a must-watch team because of her breakout performances.

2. The Crucial Impact of Transfer Guard Londynn Jones

Filling the massive gap in the backcourt also required an influx of experienced talent, and the transfer of guard Londynn Jones from rival UCLA was a major offseason coup for the Trojans. Jones, a strong three-point shooter with two years of starting experience in the Pac-12 (now Big Ten), brings a veteran presence and proven scoring ability.

Jones' experience in high-stakes games and her familiarity with Southern California basketball are invaluable. She provides a reliable secondary ball-handler and perimeter threat, taking pressure off Davidson and allowing Coach Gottlieb to run a more fluid, two-guard offense. Her transfer underscores the "all hands on deck" mentality required to compete for a Top 25 ranking without their primary star.

3. Lindsay Gottlieb’s Masterclass in Strategic Adjustment

Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who has previously earned conference Coach of the Year recognition, is proving her strategic acumen by keeping the Women of Troy competitive despite the adversity.

  • Depth and Rotation: Gottlieb is utilizing a deeper rotation, emphasizing contributions from players like Kiki Iriafen and other key returnees to manage the workload and maintain defensive intensity over a full Big Ten schedule.
  • Defensive Focus: The team’s identity has shifted toward a stronger defensive commitment and transition scoring to compensate for the loss of half-court offensive dominance. The emphasis is on generating offense through turnovers and fast breaks.
  • Big Ten Integration: Gottlieb’s ability to quickly adapt the team's style to the physical, grind-it-out nature of the Big Ten will be the ultimate measure of her coaching this season. The team's 1-0 start in the conference, including a key road win, is a promising sign.

The early-season No. 19 ranking in the AP Poll, achieved under these challenging circumstances, is a testament to Gottlieb's ability to motivate and strategize with her current roster.

4. The Big Ten Gauntlet: A New Era of Rivalry and Travel

The 2025-2026 season marks USC's official move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten Conference. This transition is a massive undertaking, introducing new travel demands and a completely new set of opponents and rivalries. The Big Ten is arguably the strongest women's basketball conference, presenting a weekly challenge that the team must manage.

The Trojans will face perennial powerhouses and new geographic rivals, making every conference game a high-stakes affair. The atmosphere at the Galen Center, the team’s home arena, will be electric as they host their first full slate of Big Ten opponents. This move is a long-term play for national relevance, but in the short term, it requires immediate, high-level performance from the entire roster to maintain their ranking and compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

5. The Long-Term Outlook: A Championship Program Foundation

While the 2025-2026 season is a challenge, it is also an opportunity to build a championship-caliber program that can thrive even without its best player. The development of Jazzy Davidson, the integration of Londynn Jones, and the proven depth under Gottlieb's system all contribute to a robust foundation.

The experience gained by the current roster in the Big Ten will be invaluable when JuJu Watkins eventually returns to the court for the 2026-2027 season. The team will transition from a one-star system to a deep, experienced squad with multiple proven scorers, which is the hallmark of a true national title contender. The current season is not a step back, but a necessary, challenging step forward in building a sustainable powerhouse program in Los Angeles.

5 Critical Takeaways for USC Women's Basketball: How the Trojans Will Survive the JuJu Watkins Era Hiatus in the Big Ten
usc womens basketball
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