It is one of the most anticipated games in women’s college basketball, as some say, the “Battle of LA.” The camaraderie surrounding this specific matchup brings attention to them, as well as their exciting styles of play. These two teams are a part of the evolution of the women’s game. UCLA vs USC: Go Bruins or Go Trojans? Both teams have proven themselves to be dangerous. At the same time, UCLA (31-2) defeated the reigning National Champion Gamecocks in November and grabbed the title of the #1 ranked team in the NCAA. USC (28-4) isn’t a team you should take with a grain of salt either, defeating UCLA before the Big 10 championship with the final score being 80-67.
About a week later, UCLA regained focus on its potential after being left with a poor taste in their mouths. On March 9, 2025, the stakes were high, and the anticipation for who would officially take the title of LA was on the line.
USC’s squad emphasizes their grit and ability to shoot the ball, especially with Sophomore Guard JuJu Watkins. On the other hand, UCLA lets its size and intense defensive presence speak for themselves on the court every game.
Waiting for this kind of match-up is like giving a kid candy. It is a match-up the entirety of women’s basketball has been waiting for. The game for women has evolved at a vast pace, making it the most highly anticipated game. These young but outstanding teams will provide a very entertaining game.
Juju Watkins, the LA native and former Sierra Canyon attendee, has been lighting up Division 1 women’s basketball. She’s averaging 24.6 points per game; for some, it takes seasons to establish and implement the confidence that Watkins already has. It’s nothing new; she’s been a game-changing sensation since high school. Her rapid growth and uniqueness allow her to be a part of women’s evolution, and she even has her name in WNBA draft talks. She is exceptional, and in some cases, the teams USC is up against do not have an answer for her.
UCLA has made a complete 180 in comparison to previous seasons. They started the season by beating South Carolina 77- 62 at home. The reigning champs were finally undefeated, and UCLA went on a run, being undefeated and ranked as the number one team of all NCAA teams. It was a considerable accomplishment, but the Bruins were not done yet. Another LA native, Londynn Jones, attended Centennial High School in 2022. The Bruins also have Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts, who have contributed to the Bruin’s recent success.
Now, both teams have proven to be significant threats within the NCAA, and through their success, they met each other again for the BIG Ten tournament. Neither team led up and showed a resilient fight the entire time. Remaining close the whole time, UCLA pulled away at the end of the third quarter, leading into the start of the fourth. After that, the Trojans had no answer for whatever the Bruins had coming. Could it have been because of the previous games played? Either way, Juju Watkins finished with a 30-point game, so USC stayed in the game very early.
Unfortunately, the Trojans could not complete the course and fell short on March 9th. As far as it goes for UCLA, they got their revenge on USC and won their conference championship. Could there be a possible match-up during March Madness? Regarding Selection Sunday, UCLA joined South Carolina and Texas as the overall No. Seed for the NCAA tournament. Who knows, but regardless of the outcome, watching both teams compete in crucial times during March Madness will be very exciting and something you should tune in to and watch.
