LOS ANGELES — At practice on Wednesday, the top-ranked UCLA Bruins were immersed in the spirit of rivalry as their scout team donned the colors of their cross-town competitors, the University of Southern California. To heighten the atmosphere, the fight song of the sixth-ranked Trojans echoed through the Bruins’ gym, setting the tone for their highly anticipated matchup on Thursday night at the Galen Center. This clash features JuJu Watkins and the Trojans hosting the undefeated Bruins, who boast an impressive 23-0 record.
“It feels like a Final Four rehearsal,” remarked UCLA’s head coach, Cori Close. “We’re not just focused on February 13.” The Bruins will hold the spotlight on Thursday evening in Los Angeles, with no competing professional or major collegiate events on the schedule, and the game will be available for streaming on Peacock.
“This is a remarkable opportunity full of pressure,” Close added. “Let’s put on a great show.” Conversely, USC’s coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “It’s a significant task, but I’m confident our players will focus. Everyone will need to contribute in tough moments.”
UCLA leads the Big Ten in offensive prowess, while USC stands out as the conference’s top defense. The Bruins are currently undefeated in league play at 11-0, with the Trojans holding an impressive 11-1 conference record and an overall record of 21-2—marking their best start since the 1982-83 season. Notably, USC has triumphed in three of their four encounters against top-10 teams.
Key player Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center for the Bruins, leads the team with 19.6 points per game—placing her second in the Big Ten—alongside 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. Her shooting percentage stands at an impressive 63%, ranking third in the Big Ten and ninth overall nationally. “I constantly say we have the best post player in the country,” asserted UCLA guard Londynn Jones.
On the other side, USC’s Watkins, who leads the conference in scoring at 23.9 points, faces her own challenges. Senior transfer Kiki Iriafen adds a strong contribution with an average of 18 points and 8.4 rebounds. “The atmosphere is incredible; the talent on display is amazing,” Jones shared.
Despite her scoring prowess, Watkins has struggled recently, registering her lowest shooting performances in the past two weeks at home. Last week, she shot 5 of 21 against Ohio State and went 7 of 24 against Minnesota on January 30. During this period, she has made only 4 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc. “Last year, we were heavily reliant on her scoring; this year, our team configuration is different,” Gottlieb explained.
Holding the top position in the AP Top 25 for 12 weeks, the Bruins claimed their ranking after a significant victory against the then-No. 1 South Carolina on November 24. Guard Gabriela Jaquez commented, “We try not to let the ranking impact us—our mindset remains stable regardless of our position.”
The history between the two teams indicates a competitive edge; UCLA has lost its last two encounters against USC, including a double-overtime setback in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament last season, marking their final clash before transitioning to the Big Ten.
“Ultimately, it will be the team that shows more unity and toughness that emerges victorious,” Close predicted. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on March 1 for their regular-season finale, which is already sold out at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.
“Every match in the Big Ten is fiercely contested, and many surprises can arise as we approach the end of the season,” Close expressed. “The biggest trap is to look too far ahead.”
