No. 2 USC Women Staying Present-Minded Entering Big Ten Tournament
Confidence and Growth from Handing UCLA Its Only Losses
The USC women’s basketball team has gained confidence and grown from handing UCLA its only two losses of the season – the latter of which earned it the Big Ten Conference regular-season title. That fact is still on the Bruins’ minds, but USC is living in the present now that they’ve arrived in Indianapolis as the top seed for the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
“That (accomplishment) should be part of who we are, but it doesn’t give us any points,” Trojans head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told reporters Thursday. “We’re trying to win – and it’s unique to win three games in three days. We’re locked in on that challenge.”
Locked in on the Challenge
The Trojans will play ninth-seeded Indiana, which beat eighth-seeded Oregon on Thursday, and will have to win three games in a row to take home a second conference trophy Sunday.
Second-seeded UCLA is on the opposite side of the bracket, making a third rivalry game of the season a realistic possibility.
“I don’t think it’s hard to keep them from looking ahead,” Gottlieb said, “and the reason for that is we’ve talked about whether we play Indiana or Oregon, that is like a second round and NCAA Tournament game. In this league, if you’re an eight, nine seed – shoot, if you’re a 10, 11 seed in our conference – you’re probably an eight, nine seed in the NCAA Tournament.”
A Strong Conference
Five Big Ten teams are currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, proving the intensity of the conference. USC is the highest-ranked Big Ten team at No. 2 and took home multiple all-conference honors.
Juu Watkins was named Player of the Year and Gottlieb is Coach of the Year. Watkins and Kiki Iriafen are first-team selections while Rayah Marshall and Kennedy Smith earned second-team recognition.
Prepared for the Big Ten Tournament
The success against Big Ten opponents as well as the travel schedule have USC feeling prepared for a strong Big Ten Tournament appearance as well as a lengthy NCAA Tournament run.
“A lot of these teams could be second-round games,” Iriafen said. “In the Big Ten, you can see so many different things and just speaking for myself and my position, sometimes I’m guarding a more post-y post and then other games on guarding a guard who’s just really playing the four. It’s a different defensive matchup every single night. The Big Ten keeps you on your toes.”
No. 2 USC vs. Indiana
* When: 9 a.m. Friday
* Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
* TV: Big Ten Network
Conclusions
The No. 2 USC women’s basketball team is focusing on the present as they enter the Big Ten Tournament, looking to win three games in a row and take home a second conference trophy. With a strong conference and a lengthy NCAA Tournament run in sight, the Trojans are feeling confident and prepared for the challenge ahead.
FAQs
* What is the current ranking of the No. 2 USC women’s basketball team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll?
+ No. 2
* How many all-conference honors did USC take home?
+ Multiple
* What is the head coach of the USC women’s basketball team?
+ Lindsay Gottlieb
