Girls’s basketball watch information: UCLA vs. USC is the must-watch rematch between JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts

It’s not an elimination sport the place the season involves an finish for the loser, however March will start with a bang on Saturday night time when No. 2 UCLA hosts No. 4 USC at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

It’s the common season finale for each groups, each of whom appeared on the 1-line within the NCAA Match choice committee’s newest prime 16 seed reveal on Thursday night. It’s a rematch from a sport performed on Feb. 13 at USC’s Galen Heart, the place the Trojans handed their rival their first lack of the season. Now, the Bruins are aiming to get that lick again.

However rather more than merely revenge and bragging rights are stake. These two packages based mostly in Los Angeles are two of one of the best in girls’s faculty basketball this season and so they’re led by maybe the highest two gamers within the nation.

So, let’s start there. The Nationwide Participant of the 12 months race appears to be coming right down to USC’s JuJu Watkins and UCLA’s Lauren Betts. Others might be thought of and may obtain votes, like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, however most on-line sportsbooks are projecting Watkins and Betts because the favorites.

The case for Betts boils right down to this: She’s one of the best participant on one of the best group within the nation. UCLA began the 12 months 23-0 and is projected to be the No. 1 total seed within the NCAA Match, and Betts is a serious purpose why. The 6-foot-7 middle averages 20 factors, 9.8 rebounds and a couple of.8 blocks per sport this season. Solely two different gamers within the nation common no less than 20 factors and 9 boards per sport this 12 months – South Dakota’s Grace Larkins and Vanderbilt’s Khamil Pierre – however neither swat away pictures or shoot as sharply from the ground as Betts’ capturing share of 62.9. Betts can be fourth in PER with a mark of 40.6.

Then there’s Watkins, who wows together with her clean deal with, shot-making capability and swagger. She’s fourth within the nation in scoring this season with 24.2 factors per sport, and likewise averages 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals and two blocks per sport – doing somewhat little bit of all the pieces for the Trojans at a excessive degree. Larkins is the one different participant within the nation this season who posts no less than 20 factors, six rebounds and three assists per sport. As a quick apart, Larkins isn’t being mentioned for Participant of the 12 months as a result of she performs for an 8-18 South Dakota group, however certainly, her numbers are spectacular.

Again to Watkins – she’s fifth in win shares and has helped the Trojans notch wins over the likes of UCLA and UConn. In the meantime, Betts’ Bruins have knocked off South Carolina and Louisville.

A formidable efficiency by Betts on Saturday night time, coupled with a Bruins’ victory may persuade voters to place her forward of Watkins on Participant of the 12 months ballots.

Additionally at-stake is the Large Ten title. Of their first season within the league, these two west coast newcomers stand on the prime with 16-1 marks in league play. USC’s lone loss to a Large Ten faculty to this point was a defeat at Iowa on the day the Hawkeyes retired Caitlin Clark’s jersey. The winner of this sport will get to say not solely the Large Ten common season title outright, but additionally the highest seed within the Large Ten Match. And for the NCAA Match, the winner probably cements their standing as a No. 1 seed.

It’s the newest chapter on this rivalry that you just received’t wish to miss.

Right here’s what else is price watching this weekend:

Recreation that might have an effect on NCAA Match seeding: No. 25 Louisville at No. 3 Notre Dame

Sunday, 12 p.m. ET – ESPN

Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Pictures

The Preventing Irish have inexplicably misplaced two video games in a row. After falling in double time beyond regulation in an epic sport at N.C. State on Sunday, Notre Dame was nonetheless slated as a No. 1 seed within the prime 16 reveal on Thursday night time. However then Hidalgo, Miles and Co. had been upset at house later that night by Florida State. The ACC common season title appears to have slipped from the Irish’s grasp, and a spot on the 1-line may as effectively.

Louisville isn’t any pushover. They handed Duke its lone house lack of the season only a week in the past and have performed effectively within the ACC slate as Jeff Walz has found out his younger group.

Superior mid-major conflict that deserves your consideration: Richmond at Saint Joseph’s

Saturday, 2 p.m. ET – ESPN+

Amber Searls-Imagn Pictures

ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme presently has Richmond successful the at-large bid for the A-10, whereas St. Joe’s and George Mason are left on the improper aspect of the bubble. A win over Richmond would give St. Joe’s its third Quad 2 win of the season, which is perhaps a ok of a resume booster to place it on the proper aspect of the bubble. Richmond received the primary matchup between these two groups, 59-51.

Should-watch participant in opposition to an attention-grabbing opponent: No. 12 Ohio State at No. 19 Maryland

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET – FOX

Photograph by John Todd/NCAA Images by way of Getty Pictures

After battling accidents earlier this season, Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers has regained her type as some of the gifted guards within the nation. On Thursday night time, she scored 21 of her 25 factors within the fourth quarter to assist the Terps notch a highway win at Indiana by double figures. She’s certainly one of simply 4 gamers within the nation this season averaging 14 factors, 4 assists and 4 rebounds per sport whereas capturing 40 p.c from 3-point land. Sunday marks her Senior Day and possibly the final time she’ll play in School Park.

Sickos Responsible Pleasure Recreation of the Week: Virginia at No. 8 North Carolina

Sunday, 2 p.m. ET – The CW

Photograph by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Pictures

Virginia has underperformed expectations this season and can miss the NCAA Match for the seventh 12 months in a row, however sophomore guard Kymora Johnson is price watching. She averages 18.1 factors, 5.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per sport. Within the Cavaliers’ final assembly with the Tar Heels, Johnson torched them for 25 factors on 4-of-7 capturing from deep.

After dropping to Duke, can UNC bounce again and get a win on senior day to spice up its possibilities of getting a double-bye within the ACC Match? With out Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly – whose enjoying statuses stay up within the air – it may very well be tough.

Additionally watch…

Penn at Harvard: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET – ESPN+

No. 15 Kentucky at No. 6 South Carolina: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET – ESPN

No. 16 Duke at No. 24 Florida State: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET – ACC Community

No. 10 TCU at No. 17 Baylor: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET – FS1