Big Ten women’s basketball preview highlights USC’s JuJu Watkins return

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 31, 2026

JuJu Watkins has returned to lead USC’s women’s basketball team after missing last season due to injury, boosting the Trojans’ chances as they aim for a national title with a talented and deep roster. The Big Ten will feature strong competition this season with nine teams ranked nationally, a new crop of head coaches, and the conference tournament moving to Las Vegas for the first time.

The return of JuJu Watkins to the University of Southern California’s women’s basketball team has elevated the Trojans' prospects for the upcoming season, as the squad looks to contend for a national championship. Watkins, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, missed the previous season recovering from a torn ACL but now leads a deep roster that includes standout players such as Jazzy Davidson, the league’s freshman of the year who stepped up during Watkins’s absence.

USC’s lineup also features five-star recruits Saniyah Hall and Sara Okeke, along with returning defensive specialist Kennedy Smith, positioning the team for a potential breakthrough campaign. Watkins, who averaged 25.5 points per game over her first two seasons, holds the NCAA Division I freshman scoring record and earned national player of the year honors before her injury. Speaking on her comeback, Watkins emphasized her unchanged confidence and focus despite the time away from competition.

Across town, UCLA is navigating a roster transition after losing six players, including Big Ten Player of the Year Lauren Betts, to the WNBA draft. Despite these changes, Bruins coach Cori Close expressed confidence in her team, citing key transfers such as Addy Brown, Donovyn Hunter, and Bonnie Deas, alongside the return of Elina Arnisalo and a healthy Sienna Betts. Close highlighted the team’s commitment to maintaining a championship standard and process despite the roster turnover.

The Big Ten conference, comprising 18 teams, boasts nine squads ranked in the Associated Press preseason top 25—an unprecedented figure for the league. Maryland, ranked 20th, has bolstered its roster with two five-star freshmen and regained three contributors who missed last season due to injury, adding further depth and competition within the conference.

Among the notable upcoming matchups, Michigan's visit to USC on January 30 is expected to be a highlight, featuring high-caliber players such as Watkins and Davidson against Michigan’s Syla Swords and Olivia Olson. The rivalry between USC and UCLA will be renewed with home-and-home games scheduled for February 7 and February 25, potentially offering a preview of postseason clashes. Additional key contests include Maryland at Ohio State on January 2 and Iowa at Minnesota on January 9, each showcasing prominent all-Big Ten first-team athletes.

This season also marks the debut of three new head coaches in the Big Ten. Carla Berube takes the helm at Northwestern after Joe McKeown’s retirement, Tanisha Wright replaces Carolyn Kieger at Penn State, and Gary Redus II succeeds Coquese Washington at Rutgers.

For the first time, the conference tournament will be held in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena from March 3 to 7, with 15 teams competing for the title. UCLA enters as the two-time defending champion, having ended Iowa’s three-year dominance during the Caitlin Clark era. This marks only the fifth occasion since 1995 that the tournament will take place outside Indianapolis, with future events planned for Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena beginning in 2028.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.