JuJu Watkins Reacts to USC's Loss vs. Paige Bueckers, UConn amid Injury, Thanks Fans

USC women's basketball star JuJu Watkins took to social media on Monday night to share her feelings on the top-seeded Trojans' 78-64 loss to No. 2 UConn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

Watkins, who was unable to play Monday after tearing her ACL during the second round of the tourney, showed her appreciation for those who have supported her in a post on her Instagram Stories:

The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and National Player of the Year candidate also commented on her team's season coming to an end, writing: "Right now, my heart is with my teammates. I wish I could have been out there battling, but I couldn't be prouder of the fight we've fought together."

With Watkins leading the way, USC entered the NCAA tournament with a 28-3 record on the season, which was enough to secure one of the coveted No. 1 seeds.

Among the Trojans' 28 victories was a tightly contested, 72-70 win over UConn in December. Watkins was the star of the game, leading all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting to go along with six rebounds and five assists.

Given how entertaining that game was, fans were eagerly anticipating a rematch in the Elite Eight, and while it did come to fruition, it wasn't the same without Watkins.

On the strength of Paige Bueckers' game-high 31 points, plus six assists, four steals, three rebounds and two blocks, the Huskies led by 14 at halftime, and it was a lead they would never relinquish.

One can't help but imagine that things would have been far more competitive with Watkins in the fold, given she is the fourth-leading scorer in Division I women's basketball this season with 23.9 points per game.

Although there is tough competition from Bueckers, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, UCLA's Lauren Betts and a host of others, Watkins is arguably the woman to beat in National Player of the Year voting as well.

Since Bueckers is making the leap to the WNBA once the 2024-25 women's college basketball season concludes, it would have been special to see her and Watkins do battle one more time with massive stakes on the line.

Instead, Bueckers and the Huskies were able to cruise past the Trojans, setting up a Final Four clash with UCLA on Friday night.

As for Watkins, she is only a sophomore, which means she will have the opportunity to return and re-establish herself as perhaps the best player in women's college basketball next season.

Bueckers tore her ACL prior to her junior season and was able to return to form, which is a path Watkins will now attempt to take as well.