USC Trojans Aim to Prove Doubters Wrong Against UNC Greensboro in NCAA Opener

LOS ANGELES, CA — The USC Trojans women’s basketball team is set to open their NCAA Tournament journey against No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday at Galen Center. Coming off a strong 28-3 season, including a powerful 17-1 record in Big Ten play, the Trojans are eager to make an impact, especially after falling short in the conference championship to UCLA.

Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed her disappointment with the committee’s decision to rank USC as the fourth overall No. 1 seed. “I never thought I’d be a one seed and feel disrespected,” Gottlieb said. “I thought the committee would have recognized our achievements differently. But we need to focus on UNC Greensboro and ensure our minds are on the game ahead of us.”

Despite the frustration, USC comes into this game with an impressive offensive lineup, averaging 81.5 points per match this season. Star guard JuJu Watkins leads the team with an impressive 24.6 points per game, while forward Kiki Iriafen adds to the attack with 18.2 points per game. Together, they form a formidable duo that has proven difficult for opponents to handle.

The Trojans’ defense is also a stronghold, featuring center Rayah Marshall, who leads in blocks at 1.9 per game, further contributing to USC’s overall dominance. Gottlieb recognizes the need for her team to play with intensity, especially following their loss in last year’s Elite Eight.

UNC Greensboro approaches the matchup with a season record of 25-6, having recently secured an overtime victory against Chattanooga in the Southern Conference championship. The Spartans, led by guard Caia Elisaldez with 13.9 points per game, hope to bring that momentum into the NCAA tournament. The Spartans have shown resilience this season, particularly in their away games, with a record of 7-5 on the road.

Elisaldez’s playmaking abilities are complemented by forward Gianna Corbitt, who averages 10.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Additionally, Sigrun Olafsdottir offers defensive support, averaging 2.4 steals, establishing herself as a critical player to watch during the game.

“We’re coming into this tournament with nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said Elisaldez. “We’re excited to compete at this level and show what we can do against a top-ranked team.”

If USC successfully defeats UNC Greensboro, they will advance to face the winner of the matchup between California and Mississippi State. As the clock ticks down to tipoff, both teams are primed for a competitive showdown on the national stage.