The USC women’s basketball team won a game by 55 points this past Saturday against Cal Poly. The scary part, as we noted in the recap of the game, was that the Trojans actually didn’t shoot well. They hit just 6 of 28 3-pointers and hit under 45 percent of their shots. They still won by 55. We said that if USC ever starts shooting 3-pointers consistently, then you’re going to see what a true juggernaut really looks like.
See Tuesday night’s 124-39 win over Cal State Northridge. This is what happens when USC — an excellent defensive team with strength inside and lots of playmakers who can get to the basket — is able to also hit 3-pointers and leave defenses completely helpless.
USC made 17 of 36 3-pointers. When a team with JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen — two players who are able to get to the basket on most occasions — then has the perimeter shooters tossing in threes, there’s simply no avenue for an opposing defense to stop this team. There’s simply no way anyone will beat USC when the Trojans are scorching the nets from long distance. The one real concern surrounding this team is precisely that the 3-pointers won’t fall. Defenses can then pack the paint to stop JuJu or Kiki on drives to the basket. That’s when everything can get gummed up and stuck.
If the threes are falling, USC becomes a wrecking ball for any opponent.
That’s the good news from Tuesday’s very large, very easy win. If the shooters stay in a groove all season, USC isn’t going to lose very much.
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