There’s an concept in basketball that one participant could make a group. To be trustworthy, that’s usually true. A participant can are available and elevate a nasty group to a better standing. Typically instances, the protection across the USC Trojans and guard JuJu Watkins makes it seem that the Huge Ten common season champions are within the place they’re on this March solely due to Watkins. Saturday on the Huge Ten Event, that delusion was busted.
The No. 1 event seeded Trojans entered Saturday towards the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines. On paper, it favored USC closely with the Wolverines beginning three freshmen and the Trojans beating Michigan by 20 factors throughout the common season. Basketball video games usually are not performed on paper.
Michigan introduced the identical depth it had Friday when head coach Kim Barnes Arico’s aspect defeated the Maryland Terrapins by 26 factors. The Wolverines gave the Trojans a battle and made the day troublesome for the star Watkins.
Within the first quarter, Michigan guard Syla Swords led the cost, scoring 10 of the Wolverines’ 15 first quarter factors, practically as many as USC’s 12 factors. When the 2 groups performed within the common season, Swords wasn’t accessible, so it was an unwelcome introduction for Trojan followers.
“Clearly I’m on the Canadian nationwide group with Syla, so I’ve recognized her for some time. However I feel she performs with a numerous coronary heart, a variety of ardour,” mentioned USC guard Avery Howell. “Positively we knew that was going to be a distinction maker for his or her group for positive.”
Michigan senior Jordan Hobbs joined Swords in scoring with eight factors within the second quarter and Michigan constructed a nine-point lead. This isn’t the a part of the story the place Watkins activates one other gear and bails USC out of the deficit. Watkins had 4 factors within the first half, going 2-of-9 from the ground and permitting three turnovers.
Watkins began the second half with a midrange jumper to chop the UM result in two factors once more however then it went again to the opposite Trojans. Ahead Kiki Iriafen scored 12 factors within the third quarter, tying the sport twice and giving the Trojans their first lead of the second half with 1:58 remaining within the interval.
“With JuJu and Kiki specifically, it’s not simply their expertise, they simply have a fierce, type of aggressive will about them and go forward and make performs you can’t actually script,” mentioned head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
For a way quiet Watkins was offensively within the first three quarters, Iriafen was loud, scoring 20 of her 25 factors earlier than the fourth quarter towards a Michigan group that had each proper to be competing with the Trojans. USC additionally acquired assist from Kennedy Smith and Rayah Marshall, who every had 9 factors.
Swords ended the sport with 26 factors, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and went an ideal 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Fellow freshman Olivia Olson added 13 factors and 9 rebounds. Michigan has a group that will likely be harmful within the Huge Ten, and nationally, for years to come back. Nevertheless, the fourth quarter of Saturday was all about USC.
The fourth quarter is when Howell acquired going. Usually often known as a three-point shooter, the Canadian freshman had a tough time past the arc, going 2-of-8, so Howell impacted the sport in different methods.
“I feel immediately clearly Ju [JuJu Watkins] and Kiks [Kiki Iriafen] are getting guarded actually laborious, so there was extra opening for me to get pictures,” mentioned Howell. “I wasn’t tremendous sizzling from three immediately, so I attempted to get different issues to work out, leaking out, getting layups. Malia [Samuels] discovered me across the rim a pair instances. I knew that fourth quarter was going to be large for our group, and I simply tried to point out up in any means I may.”
Howell scored eight factors within the body, together with an assault to the basket that got here with a bonus shot from the free throw line. It was one in all 4 and one alternatives for the Trojans within the quarter.
Howell’s late scoring was solely behind Watkins who added 11 factors, which made the distinction within the 12-point win.
Now, there was a motive Watkins didn’t have as massive of a recreation, in comparison with another performances on the 12 months. Though, scoring 20 factors with 11 rebounds is a improbable recreation for many gamers within the nation, however Watkins is just not most gamers.
When Watkins acquired the ball throughout mid courtroom, Michigan gamers have been there ready for her, making life troublesome for the sophomore celebrity who’s a frontrunner for Nationwide Participant of the 12 months.
“It was in all probability irritating,” mentioned Gottlieb about her star guard. “She was getting trapped and doubled when she’s with the ball in her fingers. Tried to get her some seems to be type of beneath the protection, however there have been a variety of our bodies there.”
With Watkins principally neutralized for 3 quarters, the group confirmed up and when Watkins broke free within the fourth, it mixed along with her teammates to point out a USC group that’s nicely conditioned to deal with adversity and succeed with or with out Watkins.
USC and Michigan have been tied with 6:29 remaining within the recreation, their second tie of the quarter. USC went on a 14-point run over lower than three minutes to place the sport to mattress.
“I feel the fourth quarter burst is a pair various things. A, I feel now we have elite athletes which are in good condition,” mentioned Gottlieb. “I additionally assume our gamers are insanely aggressive and so they do have a will to win.”
