ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced on Wednesday significant news impacting the women's basketball standings involving Northwestern, UCLA, and USC. Northwestern’s contests at UCLA (Jan. 12) and at USC (Jan. 15) will not be rescheduled, resulting in forfeits for the Wildcats. This decision means Northwestern will incur two losses, whereas UCLA and USC will each benefit from wins, affecting their standings as March approaches.
With the end of February marking the end of regular season play, the USC women’s basketball team is preparing for what could be pivotal matchups. These developments come at a time when the Trojans are gearing up for their highly anticipated game against UCLA, one of their fiercest rivals and potential contenders for the Big Ten championship. Analyst Cece Clay recently assessed the metrics reflecting USC's performance, providing valuable insights as they enter March.
USC's shooting efficiency is noteworthy yet falls short of elite standards. Currently, the Trojans boast an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 49.9% and a true shooting percentage (TS%) of 54.8%. While these figures position them competitively within the conference, they lag behind strong programs such as UCLA, which has an eFG% of 53.6%, Notre Dame at 55.4%, and UConn with 58.2%. For USC to sustain competitive momentum, they need to sharpen their ability to convert field goal attempts, especially from three-point range and at the free-throw line.
On the defensive end, the Trojans excel, with metrics among the best nationally. They’ve managed to limit their opponents to an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 39.7% and a true shooting percentage (TS%) of 43.9%. These statistics place USC right alongside top defensive teams like UCLA, which holds slightly superior numbers at 38.7% eFG and 42.7% TS, and South Carolina with 38.8% eFG and 42.2% TS. Such defensive prowess is pivotal as they approach the NCAA Tournament, where the pressure ramps up and key defensive stops can dictate the outcome of tightly contested games.
Cece Clay emphasizes the importance of this bridge between strong defensive metrics and the requirement for offensive improvements. “The defense is Final Four-worthy,” she states bluntly. “The offense, though, has to make significant forward strides if the Trojans are serious about extending their season deep enough to be playing basketball in April.” With the stakes raised as March Madness looms, USC must strike a balance between maintaining their defensive foothold and enhancing their shooting efficiency.
Looking forward, the upcoming matchup against UCLA doesn't only carry championship implications but also serves as a litmus test for USC’s playoff ambitions. Analysts and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the Trojans adapt their strategy to address offensive lapses against one of the premier teams in women's college basketball.
The Big Ten Conference's recent decisions also add to the narrative. The forfeits imposed on Northwestern mean every game counts significantly more for the remaining teams. Each win could steer the Trojans closer to favorable NCAA Tournament seeding, so success against UCLA is pivotal. With both teams competing fiercely, the Trojans have the opportunity to leverage their strengths against UCLA and solidify their place as legitimate contenders.
USC’s coaching staff is likely emphasizing the need for their star players to step up. Whether it's enhancing shooting consistency or combining their formidable defensive strategies with improved offensive flow, adjustments will be key to achieving victory against UCLA. It is evident the Trojans’ fate rests on these forthcoming games, with hopes of pushing past the traditional boundaries of their season—potentially culminating in undefeated conference play.
Fans, analysts, and the entire Trojan community eagerly anticipate their upcoming games as momentum builds heading toward the climax of the season. Assessing the athletic department’s goals, with the ultimate aim of achieving championships within their sight, appears to align closely with Clay’s insights. The real question remains: can USC rise to this challenge, reinforcing their competitiveness this March?