JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans secured a thrilling 72-70 victory against Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies in Hartford, wrapping up their nonconference schedule with a strong showing. Watkins led the charge with 25 points, while teammate Kiki Iriafen added a solid contribution of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
As the holiday break approaches, six teams remain unbeaten in this week’s ESPN Power Rankings: UCLA, LSU, Maryland, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. The path to maintaining these records will become increasingly challenging as they transition into conference play, where the competition typically intensifies.
Among the six unbeaten teams, UCLA boasts the highest strength of schedule at No. 26, while LSU, the reigning national champions, navigated a nonconference schedule that offered less resistance. Maryland and Tennessee face scrutiny due to their schedules, but they will soon confront ranked opponents, with Maryland gearing up for three ranked contests between late December and early January.
The current rankings reflect a diverse mix of performances among the teams. UCLA and South Carolina are consistently showcasing their talent, with UCLA coming off a commanding 70-41 win against Creighton, thanks to Kiki Rice’s standout performance of 20 points. Meanwhile, South Carolina continues to rely on newcomer Joyce Edwards, who has quickly established herself as a scoring leader.
In contrast, teams like UConn, after their tight loss to USC, are looking to regain momentum with upcoming nonconference games against top-tier competition. The challenge of conference play will test all these squads, but their resilience thus far positions them well as contenders for the Final Four.
The article serves as a reminder that while nonconference run-ups can offer insights into a team’s potential, the real determination of success often lies in confronting and overcoming the trials of league play. There’s great optimism as fans look forward to the debuts of these teams in highly competitive matchups beginning in January.
Overall, the landscape of women’s college basketball is shaping up to be highly competitive, and with several teams showing promise, the upcoming games in the new year are sure to offer exciting matchups and storytelling opportunities.