UCLA-USC womens basketball now greatest showdown in town

ROSEMONT, Ill.— On one side of town is a defending national champion that reloaded like a rich kid with his parent’s credit card at Erewhon.On the other side is a team that might feature even more talent, including the most electrifying basketball player in Los Angeles.The real winner in the renewal of a rivalry that’s ready to push past maximum volume and go to 11?Everybody.Whether you root for UCLA or USC, it’s going to be a slam-dunk season for women’s basketball in LA.“I think we’ll see record crowds everywhere we go,” Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb said Wednesday at Big Ten media days, “but there’s a special buzz when it’s the crosstown showdown.”The first clue that these teams will hold sway in this ficklest of places can be found in the names.JuJu.

Jazzy.Sienna.Last names aren’t necessary when you possess this kind of star powerJuJu Watkins was recognized walking around Chicago on Tuesday, humbly pausing to indulge those who tried to engage her.Jazzy Davidson drew millions of views on social media just by throwing up the two-finger Victory Salute at a recent USC football game.Sienna Betts is also instantly recognized, not just for the older sister who plays in the WNBA but her own emerging fame.This rivalry has been veering into overdrive for several years now, with sellout crowds, massive TV ratings and sibling rivals Reggie Miller (UCLA) and Cheryl (USC) sitting courtside.It took a slight dip last season when Watkins, a onetime Wooden Award winner, sat out with the devastating knee injury she suffered in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

UCLA went on to wallop the Trojans in both meetings before doing the same thing to the other USC — South Carolina — while winning its first NCAA championship.The days of one-sided showings are over.Watkins’ return means that the rivalry might be on the verge of unprecedented heights.“Just super excited to see how everything pans out,” Watkins said.The Trojans have a Big 3 in Watkins, Davidson a...