The USC women’s basketball team did not win in Colorado on Sunday afternoon. No one is happy after the Trojans lost, 63-59. This team doesn’t do moral victories, and it shouldn’t. This is a Final Four contender, and it is a Pac-12 title contender. Losing games hurts, and this one should sting. Let’s be clear about that.
However, while moral victories are empty, the process of learning is also important for this team. That’s where this loss can provide real value and become a positive experience for everyone in the locker room.
USC watched JuJu Watkins foul out with under six minutes left in regulation on a highly questionable foul call. Playing the final five-plus minutes without their superstar player was expectedly rough for the Trojans, but they can certainly learn from the experience. McKenzie Forbes committed multiple turnovers against Colorado’s defensive pressure with JuJu out. Those turnovers led to Colorado baskets and were important in shaping the ultimate four-point final margin for the Buffs.
Rayah Marshall and Kaitlyn Davis had to find ways to contribute on the court with JuJu out. Davis scored the tying basket with under 1:40 left, but missed a go-ahead free throw. Marshall, who played just 16 minutes on Friday against Utah after being sick a week ago versus UCLA, is still trying to find her rhythm on the court. They can learn from this game.
Kayla Padilla and Taylor Bigby tried to help the offense with JuJu out. Padilla hit a big late 3-pointer. Bigby missed a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute with USC down two. They can learn from this game as well.
Lindsay Gottlieb and lead assistant Beth Burns won’t be happy with the offense scoring just 12 points in the second and fourth quarters. They won’t be happy with the turnovers which enabled Colorado to win. However, they know they have a team which fights hard. USC struggled without JuJu, but it didn’t collapse without JuJu. Despite playing nearly the final six minutes without her, the Trojans still had a chance to win or tie in the final 10 seconds. That’s a championship-level effort. USC simply didn’t have championship-level precision or quality.
Everyone can learn from this, and that’s very encouraging, regardless of the final outcome.
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