Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

JuJu Watkins was on the USC bench as the Trojans advanced to the Elite Eight with a 67-61 win over Kansas State on Saturday. Well, sort of. Watkins tore her ACL in the second round of the tournament and therefore she did not make the trip up the coast.

Madison Connor leads all scorers with nine points for TCU. But the Horned Frogs trail Notre Dame, 30-26. The Irish have taken the lead, 24-20, on an 11-0 run capped by an Olivia Miles 3-pointer. TCU was bound to cool off after its scorching start and Notre Dame has taken advantage of the cold spell.

JuJu Watkins may not be on the court with her teammates, but they kept her close with matching shirts. USC faces Kansas State in the Sweet 16

Freshman Kennedy Smith scores 19 and Avery Howell adds 18 as USC beats Kansas State 67-61 without injured star JuJu Watkins, setting up Elite Eight rematch with UConn.

JuJu Watkins has spent the 2024 college basketball season doing what few have ever done in a USC Trojans uniform — dominating every game she touched. The sophomore guard led the Trojans to a 30-3 record and a No.

Their unity was on full display as the players walked into the arena wearing JuJu Watkins Nike shirts, a touching gesture that highlights their unwavering support for their injured teammate. Fans across the nation are moved by USC’s heartfelt tribute to Watkins,

USC will be without one of its brightest stars Saturday, after JuJu Watkins injured her knee against Mississippi State in the second round.