"The Trojans punched their ticket to the Big Dance for the fourth straight season on Sunday. They'll be a No. 9 seed, set to face No. 8 seed Clemson in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday. While the Trojans will have to travel across the country to take on Clemson, the Tigers will only have a two-hour drive from their campus."
"Just a year ago, USC entered March as one of the favorites to win the national title. But then JuJu Watkins injured her knee in the second round. The injury forced her to sit out the entire season, throwing a serious wrench in USC's plans for the 2025-26 season."
"Instead, the Trojans would have to rely on another dazzling young talent, Jazzy Davidson, to carry them. And Davidson would deliver, leading the Trojans in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. She was even named Big Ten Freshman of the Year."
USC secured its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance as a No. 9 seed despite a tumultuous season marked by the season-long injury absence of superstar JuJu Watkins. The Trojans will travel to Columbia, South Carolina to face No. 8 seed Clemson on Saturday. A victory would set up a rematch with No. 1 seed South Carolina, who defeated USC in November. Freshman Jazzy Davidson emerged as the team's leading scorer and rebounder, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. USC's season included early wins but inconsistent Big Ten play, with a four-game losing streak to end the regular season. Historically, only two No. 8 or No. 9 seeds have upset a No. 1 seed in the last 15 years.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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