SPOCANE, Washington – The absence of Juju Watkins is looming largely over Spokane. There, eight of the remaining 16 teams, including USC, will gather in the next round of the NCAA Tournament.
Watkins tore his Anterior Cruciate ligament Monday night in the first quarter of USC's second quarter victory against Mississippi State as he drove towards the basket on a fast break.
The end of the season injury was not the result of a malicious offense, but the basketball game was played incorrectly.
“It's a very unfortunate thing. I don't want to make such a thing happen to a great player or any player,” North Carolina guard Madison Hayes said after practice Thursday. “I'm sorry, but there's nothing. She couldn't have done anything to prevent that. It feels like Mississippi didn't do anything either.”
Watkins undergoes surgery before embarking on a long rehabilitation journey.
ACL tears usually take 9-12 months, except for unexpected regression.
That means Watkins, one of the faces of college basketball, could be avoided all of the next season.
Support for Watkins is poured into this week.
Celebrities and fellow athletes sent her wishes on social media.
Spokane players and coaches joined the chorus.
“We will definitely send prayers out to Juju and the entire USC community,” said Madison Scott, Ole Miss Forward. “She's a great player. Playing with such players makes you better. So, she's a great player, a great leader and has had a big impact on the women's games.”
USC's top rivals support Watkins.
“I saw it live and it was very difficult to watch,” said Laurenbetz of the Bruins Center. “I feel very sorry for her. Honestly, I feel bad for that team and the program. I know she is a very important part of that program. I feel like her as a person.
With Watkins in the lead, USC took UCLA twice in the regular season and became the Big Ten champion, with the Trojans looking poised for a deep NCAA tournament run.
However, her injuries move forward along the Trojan path.
Top Seed USC is scheduled to practice at Spokane Arena on Friday afternoon ahead of the sweet 16 matchup with the fifth Kansas state on Saturday.
The winner of that game will face the winner of UConn-Oklahoma on Monday for a shot in the final four berth.
Watkins' injury also eliminates the possibility of an eight-elite rematch against UConn star Page Buker.
Watkins scored a game-high 25 points in USC's 72-70 victory in Hartford, Connecticut on December 21st.
The Bueckers finished with 21 points.
In two years, at just 19, Watkins has already had a major impact on the game.
“She's great, she's on the mantle and really makes the face of women's basketball,” UCRA coach Kohli Close said. “She's really what keeps her moving forward with the sport.”
