A potential Elite Eight rematch between the No. 1 USC Trojans and No. 2 UConn Huskies was highly anticipated by basketball fans when the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament bracket was revealed on Selection Sunday. It was anticipated that the match will rekindle the rivalry between JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers, two of college basketball’s biggest players.
In the previous year’s Elite Eight, Bueckers and UConn defeated Watkins and USC 80-73 before losing to Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final Four. But earlier this season, in December, USC defeated UConn 72-70 to exact revenge for that defeat. Regretfully, one of the big stars at this year’s rematch will not be present. In the Trojans’ resounding 96-59 victory over No. 9 Mississippi State, Watkins sustained a season-ending knee injury.
Bueckers Expresses Empathy for Watkins’ Situation
Ahead of UConn’s Sweet 16 matchup against No. 3 Oklahoma, Bueckers reflected on Watkins’ injury and expressed deep empathy.
Bueckers Reaches Out to Offer Support
Having experienced her own battles with career-threatening injuries, Bueckers wasted no time reaching out to Watkins to offer her support and encouragement.
Bueckers’ Personal Experience with Injury Setbacks
Bueckers, who averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2021 and was named the AP Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year, is all too familiar with the psychological and physical toll that injuries can have. Her professional path was ruined by injuries following an outstanding rookie season that helped the Huskies reach the Final Four.
During her sophomore season, she was limited to just 17 games due to a tibial plateau fracture and a meniscus tear. Worse still, Bueckers missed her entire junior season after tearing her ACL during a pickup game in August 2022. Recalling her experience, Bueckers admitted feeling a “why me” mentality, plagued by frustration and unanswered questions. But she found strength through faith and perseverance.
Azzi Fudd Reflects on Her Own Recovery Journey
Watkins is supported by Bueckers’ teammate Azzi Fudd, who made a comeback this season after breaking her ACL in November 2023. Fudd underlined how crucial it is to remain inspired and have a purpose during the rehabilitation process.
What’s Next for UConn and USC?
UConn will play No. 3 Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, while USC will play No. 5 Kansas State in an attempt to prolong their March Madness run without Watkins. The Trojans are still focused on going far in the tournament even though their star player is not playing.
