NFL
By: Kevin Lucas
In just under 3 seasons Lindsay Gottlieb and her staff have brought the Women of Troy back to national relevance for the first time since the great Lisa Leslie was a student on campus. Coach Gottlieb has been a head coach at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Berkeley, and now at Southern Cal. She had success at both of her previous stops, proving that she is one of the best teachers of basketball in the whole world. On Sunday, the lady Trojans won the last-ever Pac-12 Conference Tournament Championship after defeating top-seeded Stanford 74-61. The last time they won the Conference Tournament was an entire decade ago back in 2014. This USC squad has a great balance of experience, heart, and determination.
Of course, this team is led by their superstar freshman Juju Watkins. In just her first season of collegiate basketball Juju is averaging 27.6 points per game, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game. She did this while her team was top-10 in the country all season long and the Pac-12 being the best it has been in a very long time. Opposing scouting reports know that she wants to get to her right hand and yet they still can’t stop her. Whether it be her getting to the rim, midrange, or free throw line, teams have to pick their poison with the Queen of Watts and just hope that she misses. She has had one of the greatest freshmen campaigns we will ever see and luckily it’s not even over yet.
“The nerds” (as coach Gottlieb likes to call them) of this team McKenzie Forbes, Kaitlyn Davis, and Kayla Padilla are the main reason USC is playing their best basketball heading into March Madness. Forbes, a Harvard transfer, averaged 17.3 points a game in 3 games during the Pac-12 Tournament. At 6ft tall her ability to knock down shots off the catch or off the dribble is starting to grab the attention of WNBA scouts. Forbes brings a calming presence to this group that simply cannot be replicated. When the squad is going through a cold streak or tough stretch you will never see McKenzie Forbes’ demeanor change. Kaitlyn Davis, a Columbia transfer, is one of those players who just always seems to be at the right place at the right time. As a jack of all trades, Davis is a lefty who finishes nearly everything around the rim with either hand and is very disruptive defensively. Every coach in the country would love to have a player like Kaitlyn Davis on their squad. Kayla Padilla, a Penn transfer, is one of the more dangerous 3-point shooters in the women’s college game. She has an effortless release and unwavering confidence to where it seems like every shot she puts up is good. Defensively is where Padilla thrives the most. In their semifinal game against UCLA, Padilla made major defensive plays and absolutely shut down Londynn Jones who’s a major piece to the Bruin’s success this season.
Rayah Marshall is the backbone for USC as she was Gottlieb’s first piece to the puzzle upon arrival at the Galen Center. Marshall has evolved in all aspects of her game since her freshman year even with her role slightly diminishing due to more talent being put around her. Regardless Marshall is a fierce competitor and a dominant post threat on both ends of the floor. She is the glue that keeps this team together.
Going into the NCAA Tournament the Women of Troy will be the hottest team in the country heading into it. They’re hungry for more and want to keep representing their program to the fullest extent. With an overall record of 26-5, the Lady Trojans are built for war. With Juju, the nerds, and coach Gottlieb, be aware of them this March. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon. “The Women of Troy are back baby” – Lisa Leslie
