As No. 8 Ohio State continues its challenging road trip, the Buckeyes will face off against No. 7 USCon Saturday in a high-stakes battle. After falling to No. 1 UCLA in a hard-fought 65-52 loss, Ohio State is looking to bounce back and avoid returning home empty-handed.
Standing in their way is JuJu Watkins, USC’s star sophomore, and a Trojans squad built for success under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Ahead of the matchup, Land-Grant Holy Land spoke with Ahmad Akkaoui of Fight On 247 to break down USC’s key players, defensive dominance, and what to expect in this top-10 showdown.
Watkins’ Growth Since Her Ohio State Debut
Ohio State fans may remember JuJu Watkins’ college debut, where she torched the Buckeyes with 33 points despite battling foul trouble. Since then, she’s become even more dangerous. Akkaoui notes that Watkins has refined her game, becoming smarter, faster, and more composed under pressure. With an Elite Eight run already under her belt, expectations are high for USC to make another deep postseason push.
Kiki Iriafen: More Than Just a Scorer
While Kiki Iriafen is known for her scoring versatility, her impact extends beyond offense. She’s a strong defender who can guard multiple positions and crashes the boards aggressively, boasting as many offensive rebounds as defensive ones this season. Paired with shot-blocking specialist Rayah Marshall, Iriafen helps make USC’s frontcourt one of the most formidable in the country.
Why USC Leads the Nation in Blocks
USC isn’t just big—it’s defensively aware. While the Trojans do have a size advantage, their success in blocking shots comes from elite positioning and anticipation. They’ve recorded at least three blocks in every game this season, showing how disciplined and disruptive their defense can be.
USC’s Biggest Weaknesses
While USC has been dominant, losses to Notre Dame and Iowa exposed some vulnerabilities. Against Iowa, the Trojans started 1-of-21 from the field and struggled with the loud, hostile environment. More importantly, their tendency to force bad shots and get into foul trouble hurt them in key moments. If Ohio State wants to pull off an upset, controlling the tempo and attacking USC’s defense could be the key.
With two top-10 teams clashing, this matchup promises to be a battle. Can Ohio State contain Watkins and USC’s defense, or will the Trojans continue their strong season? We’ll find out soon.
