As soon as thought of national championship contenders, they will be fortuitous to defeat Kansas State within their Sweet sixteen matchup, and if they survive, They are going to be decided underdogs in opposition to Connecticut during the Elite Eight.

Soon after Watkins' injury, followers consistently booed Mississippi Condition gamers all through the sport. There was also rigidity in between two teams after the match. Gamers jawed at one another over the handshake line, plus some gamers needed to be separated.

Gottlieb put on a courageous confront and coached a heckuva recreation as she led her team to next weekend’s Sweet sixteen in Spokane, Wash. However it’s a Sweet sixteen which has dropped its flavor. And afterward the USC mentor’s voice grew thick and her eyes welled when referring to her fallen star.

But what a time for an interruption. As evidenced by her modern multiyear contend with the sports collectible business Fanatics — she is the primary woman college or university athlete to receive this kind of royal remedy — Watkins is her sport’s most celebrated player.

The injury transpired halfway with the initially quarter of USC's matchup with Mississippi State. As Watkins led the split in changeover, her correct leg buckled every time a Mississippi Point out defender attempted to generate a play. Watkins fell to the floor and appeared to be in serious soreness.

She not simply racks up the big figures, but also she would make Every person all-around her far better, the Trojans connecting on several extensive-open up shots Monday evening in plays concocted through the double-teamed Watkins.

Her teammates huddled within a circle all around her, and Gottlieb and assistant coach Wendale Farrow came from your bench to check on Watkins just before Trojans get more info staffers carried the sophomore guard off the floor.

“My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu,” MSU coach Sam Purcell reported. “Clearly, we’re opponents and you never ever want to see that, Specifically what she usually means for Ladies’s basketball.”

"They're gonna stand driving their property crew. They're gonna go tough for JuJu," explained MSU guard Jerkaila Jordan, who scored 17 points. "I couldn't do absolutely nothing but respect them."

"They gave us lots of Vitality, particularly when factors were not heading our way firstly," claimed Kiki Iriafen, who scored a time-superior 36 details.

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Don’t blame Mississippi Condition. The Bulldogs ended up Actual physical, but Watkins wasn't wounded on an affordable shot. It didn’t seem to be a shot in the slightest degree; it appeared to be simply one of those freaky basketball knee injuries that just happen.

“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled viewing JuJu on the ground and crying,” USC mentor Lindsay Gottlieb mentioned Monday evening. “I’m seeking, certainly, my finest to be what I have to be for that workforce, but internally it’s a great deal.”

The injury is an infinite blow on the championship hopes of USC, which gained the standard-year Major 10 championship and acquired a No. 1 seed while in the NCAA Match thanks in large part to Watkins.

While in the background of basketball in L. a., It's going to be permanently often called the evening everything adjusted.