No. 4 USC Faces No. 8 Maryland in Top-10 Women’s Basketball Showdown

No. 4 USC and No. 8 Maryland will clash in a highly anticipated women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland. The game, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, features two of the nation’s top teams in a battle that could have significant implications for the Big Ten standings and NCAA tournament seeding.

USC (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten) enters the game on a 10-game winning streak, led by star guard JuJu Watkins, who is averaging 25.1 points per game. Watkins, a sophomore, broke the freshman scoring record last season and has been a dominant force for the Trojans. She is complemented by forward Kiki Iriafen, who is contributing 17.9 points and a team-high nine rebounds per game.

Maryland (14-0) is one of the few remaining undefeated teams in women’s college basketball. The Terrapins are off to their best start since the 2011-12 season, fueled by a balanced offense and a deep roster. Transfer guard Kaylene Smikle has emerged as Maryland’s leading scorer, averaging 18.1 points per game, while Shyanne Sellers and Bri McDaniel provide additional firepower.

This marks the first meeting between the two programs since December 1993, with USC holding a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series. The game will be a test of Maryland’s ability to compete with elite competition, as the Terrapins seek to solidify their status as a national contender.

Maryland head coach Brenda Frese has emphasized the importance of defense this season, with the Terrapins holding opponents to just 59.1 points per game, a significant improvement from last year. The team’s defensive efforts, combined with their high-powered offense, have made them one of the most formidable teams in the Big Ten.

For USC, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has built a program capable of competing for a national championship. The Trojans’ only loss this season came against Notre Dame in November, but they have since rebounded with impressive wins, including a 72-70 victory over UConn in December.

Wednesday’s game will be a showcase of two of the nation’s top players in Watkins and Smikle, both of whom were recently named Big Ten Co-Players of the Week. The matchup will also highlight the strength of the Big Ten, which has become one of the most competitive conferences in women’s college basketball following the addition of USC and other powerhouse programs.