Here’s what’s on the line when JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts meet up in UCLA vs. USC rematch

It's not an elimination game where the season ends for the losers, but March starts with a bang on Saturday night when UCLA held No. 4 USC at 9pm on FOX.

It was the regular season finale for both teams, and both appeared on one line of the NCAA Tournament Select Committee's latest Top 16 seed release on Thursday evening. This was a rematch from the game, which took place at USC's Gallen Centre on February 13th, with the Trojans passing the first defeat of the season with their rivals. Now, the Bruins are aiming to regain that lick.

But there's more to interest than simply revenge and bragging rights. These two Los Angeles-based programs are two of the best women's college basketball this season, led by perhaps the top two players in the country.

So let's start there. The National Player of the Year race appears to be challenging USC's Juju Watkins and UCLA's Lauren Betts. Others may be considered and votes like Notre DameHannah Hidalgo, uconnPaige Bueckers and LSU's Anesah Morrow, but most online sportsbooks project Watkins and Betts as favorites.

The Betts case is summarized in this. She is the best team and best player in the country. UCLA is expected to start 23-0 years and be the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Betts being the main reason for this. The 6-foot-7 center averages 20 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game this season. Only two other players in the country will average at least 20 points and nine boards per game this year, South Dakota Gracelarkins and Vanderbilt's Kamille Pierre – but they didn't shoot or shoot sharply from the floor as much as Betts' 62.9 filming rate. Betts is also fourth with a 40.6 mark.

Then there's Watkins. Watkins watches with her smooth handles, shot-making abilities, sw walking. She scores 24.2 points this season, averaging 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steel and 2 blocks and 2 blocks, doing everything for the Trojans. Larkins is the only player in the country to post at least 20 points, six rebounds and three assists in one game this season. Simply put, there's no discussion about Player of the Year as Larkins plays for the 8-18 South Dakota team, but in fact, her numbers are impressive.

Return to Watkins – She was fifth in the victory share and helped Trojan horses like UCLA and UConn win. Meanwhile, the Betts' Bruins knocked out South Carolina and Louisville.

A memorable performance by Betts on Saturday night, coupled with the Bruins' victory, allowed voters to convince her to advance her beyond Watkins.

Big Ten titles are also stakes. In their first season in the league, these two West Coast rookies are on the top with a 16-1 mark in league play. USC's solitary loss to Big Ten School up until now was a loss in Iowa on the day the Hawkeyes retired from Kate Linklark's jersey. The winner of this game can claim not only the Big Ten regular season title, but also the top seed of the Big Ten tournament. And in the NCAA tournament, the winners are probably solidifying their status as the No. 1 seed.

This is the latest chapter in this rivalry.

This is something worth seeing this weekend:

Games that may affect NCAA Tournament Seeds: No. 25 Louisville at No. 3 Notre Dame

Sunday, 12pm ET – ESPN

Fighting Ireland inexplicably lost two games in a row. After falling twice as much overtime in a spectacular game in North Carolina on Sunday, Notre Dame was still scheduled as the number one seed in the top 16 public on Thursday night. But then Hidalgo, Miles and Co. got upset at home later that night. Florida. The ACC regular season title appears to have slipped from Ireland's grasp, and the same goes for the one-line spot.

Louisville is not a pushover. They handed the only home loss of the season to Duke just a week ago and played well on the ACC slate, as Jeff Waltz understood his younger group.

Amazing mid-major collision worth your attention: Richmond of St. Joseph

Saturday, 2pm ET – ESPN+

Amber Searls-Imagn Images

ESPN Bracket Scholar Charlie Cream Currently, Richmond has won a massive bid for the A-10, but St. Joe and George Mason are left on the wrong side of the bubble. A victory over Richmond will give St. Joe the third Quad 2 victory of the season. This could be enough resume booster to place it on the right side of the bubble. Richmond won these two teams, their first matchup, 59-51.

A must-see player against interesting opponents: No. 19 Ohio, Maryland

Sunday, 4:30pm ET – Fox

Photography by John Todd/NCAA via Getty Images

After fighting injuries earlier this season, Maryland Guard Channe Sellers has regained her shape as one of the most talented guards in the country. On Thursday night, she scored 21 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Terps win on double-digit loads at Indiana. She is One of only four This season, players from the country average 14 points, four assists and four rebounds per game, shooting 40% off 3-point land. Sunday is her senior day and is probably marked for her to play at College Park.

Siccos Guilty Pleasure Game of the Week: Virginia No. 8 North Carolina

Sunday, 2pm ET – CW

Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

Virginia has fallen below expectations this season and will miss the NCAA Tournament for the seventh year in a row, but sophomore guard Kymora Johnson is worth watching. She averages 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. In his final meeting with the Cavaliers' Tar Heels, Johnson torched them with 25 points with a four-quarter shooting from Deep.

After losing to Duke, can UNC get a win on Senior Day to increase the chances of winning a double by in the ACC tournament? Without Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly, the performance situation remains in the air, but it can be difficult.

See you again…

Harvard Pen: Saturday, 7pm ET – ESPN+

6th South Carolina Kentucky No. 15: Sunday, 2pm ET – ESPN

No. 16 Duke at No. 24 Florida State: Sunday, 6pm ET – ACC Network

No. 10 TCU No. 17 Baylor: Sunday, 6:30pm ET – FS1