USC Faces Indiana in High-Stakes Big Ten Quarterfinal Matchup

INDIANAPOLIS — The top-seeded USC Women’s Basketball team prepares to take on ninth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game is set to tip off at 9:00 a.m. PT and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

USC enters the contest with an impressive 26-2 record, marking the Trojans’ best start through 28 games since the 1982-83 season, when they captured the national championship. The Trojans’ successful season includes notable victories over rival UCLA, handing the Bruins their only two losses thus far. USC also clinched its first regular-season conference championship since 1994.

Star guard JuJu Watkins has emerged as a pivotal player for USC, leading the conference with an average of 24.4 points per game, along with rankings in blocks (6.7 per game) and steals (2.1 per game). Her remarkable performance earned her the title of Big Ten Player of the Year, in addition to being a unanimous selection for the All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All-Defensive Team.

Graduate transfer Kiki Iriafen has also made her mark this season with an average of 18.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Iriafen, the previous winner of the Katrina McClain Award, has continued to be a strong presence on the court and is again in contention for the prestigious honor.

USC’s journey to the quarterfinals has set high expectations, but they will face a formidable challenge against Indiana. The Hoosiers advanced to this stage after defeating eighth-seeded Oregon 78-62 in the tournament’s second round. Indiana’s strong offensive performance featured contributions from junior guard Yarden Garzon, who led the team with 18 points, and sophomore Shay Ciezki, who added 17 points.

The two teams previously faced each other on January 19, where USC managed to edge out Indiana 73-66 in a tightly contested matchup. In that game, USC overcame an 11-point deficit in the second quarter, showcasing their resilience and determination.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed the significance of this matchup: “This is an opportunity for us to solidify our positioning not just in the Big Ten, but heading into the NCAA Tournament as well.”

Indiana coach Teri Moren acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting the difficulty of facing one of the nation’s elite teams. “We know we are up against a very talented USC team with depth and experience. Our focus will be on maintaining discipline and executing our game plan,” she said.

The Hoosiers will need a strong performance from their roster if they wish to cause an upset. With a recent track record of overcoming adversity, including dealing with foul trouble against Oregon, Indiana aims to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the semifinals.

As both teams gear up for an exciting showdown, fans can expect an intense battle on the court, with both squads motivated to advance in the tournament and enhance their NCAA Tournament aspirations.