During the long college basketball season, there are certain games that are marquee matchups. Saturday’s contest between No. 4 UConn and No. 7 USC certainly qualifies.
Both teams are considered to be Final Four-level talents, and with Paige Bueckers representing UConn and JuJu Watkins playing for USC, there will be plenty of star power as the two go head-to-head on FOX at 8 p.m. ET.
How UConn can win
The Huskies are at home and are ranked higher nationally, but this will not be a walk in the park. UConn suffered a tough loss versus Notre Dame just over a week ago, and if they don’t want another defeat on their record, they’ll have to bring their A-game on Saturday.
Unfortunately for the Huskies, the Trojans present challenges similar to those they struggled with against the Fighting Irish. USC has elite players on the perimeter who can overwhelm UConn. Containing Watkins will be priority one, two and three. Kiki Iriafen is also a problem, presenting a challenge for UConn down low.
As far as what they can control on their own, UConn needs Bueckers to remain aggressive. She is averaging 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
They’ll also need a big game from their freshman star, Sarah Strong. She’s been as good as advertised, scoring 17.3 points and grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game. If both players produce, while the team defense can force Watkins and Iriafen into inefficient shooting games, they’ll be in a position to win.
How USC can win
It will be an uphill battle for the Trojans to win in Connecticut, but they have the talent to pull off the upset.
These are the kind of games that can turn a legend like Watkins into a god. She’s averaging 24.7 points per game, which is the third-highest point total in the nation. If she takes things to another level, she’s good enough to single-handedly get things done. Luckily for Watkins, she’s not alone and has teammates like Iriafen who can lighten her load. The transfer from Stanford is averaging nearly a double-double, with 18.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Some x-factor players for USC who can step up include guards Talia von Oelhoffen and Kayleigh Heckel. Both average under 10 points a game, but if they can find some rhythm, they can tilt things in USC’s favor, especially if the game is tight late.
Overall, this is a must-watch game. There is a lot of talent on both sides, and this is as close to a guarantee of an instant classic as one can get. Make time in your schedule to watch this one.
Game information
No. 4 UConn Huskies (10-1, 1-0) vs. No. 7 USC Trojans (10-1, 1-0)
When: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: XL Center in Hartford, CT
How to watch: FOX
