Despite the absence of JuJu Watkins, USC defeated Kansas State by the final score of 67-61 in the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament on Saturday. With the win, the Trojans advanced to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.

USC came together without injured star JuJu Watkins to beat Kansas State in the Sweet 16. A more difficult test awaits in March Madness Elite Eight.

JuJu Watkins is away from the USC basketball team after suffering a torn ACL, but her teammates found a way to get her on the bench for the Sweet 16.

The Wildcats then tied it up early in the fourth quarter, and they hung with USC nearly the rest of the way. While the Trojans' last field goal came at the 4:35 mark, they hit eight free throws — and came up with a huge defensive stop after a late turnover — to end the game and escape with the six-point win.

UConn guard Paige Bueckers told reporters she was "sick to her stomach" after hearing news that USC guard JuJu Watkins suffered a season-ending torn ACL in her right knee. "Just sick to my stomach," Bueckers said when asked about her reaction to the news.

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said during a press conference on Friday that JuJu Watkins' season-ending ACL tear was not the result of a dirty play. Gottlieb also condemned the online abuse that Mississippi State players have faced in the wake of the injury,

Dawn Staley sent JuJu Watkins a text as soon as she saw the star Southern California sophomore suffer a season-ending knee injury earlier this week.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb came to the defense of a Mississippi State player as she faces online bullying over her involvement in the play that resulted in JuJu Watkins' injury.

Brasby explain the play that caused JuJu Watkins' season-ending ACL tear before highlighting how Kiki Iriafen keeps USC in good position for the rest of March Madness.