B1G Game 10: Gophers visit Southern Cal (1-30-25)

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Ignatius L Hoops

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It’s time for the Gophers to make that California trip. First up, representing the School of Cinematic Arts, are the Women of Troy led by NIL star JuJu Watkins.

Watkins burst on the scene last season leading Southern Cal to the Elite Eight before falling to UConn 73-80. Along the way they defeated Stanford for the Pac 12 tournament title. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Watkins; Stanford held her to 9 points and 6 turnovers. However, In the UConn loss it was Watkins with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists and Paige Bueckers with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. It was an auspices NCAA debut for JuJu.

But with three starters graduating, SC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb (now in her 4th season) needed to kick things up a notch. First, like Minnesota’s last opponent, Michigan, she added four highly recruited college ready freshman. Unlike Michigan, Gottlieb played the portal attracting Stanford standout Kiki Iriafen and Oregon’s Talia von Oelhoffen. It’s a lineup that has Southern Cal at 8-0 in the B1G and 18-1 overall.

SC’s lone loss was a early season home game to Notre Dame 61-74. Watkins’ 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists could not overcome the Irish tandem of Hannah Hidalgo 24-6-8 and Miles Olivia 20-8-7. That loss was offset later by a win over UConn in Hartford. JuJu lead the way with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Bueckers had 22 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. It’s a long way of saying JuJu is ready for her closeup.

Here's Southern Cals starting lineup.

JuJu Watkins is a 6’2” (excluding the slicked back high bun) sophomore guard averaging 24.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per conference game, Yes, she is the Big Ten’s leading scorer.

Kiki Iriafen is a 6’3” graduate forward averaging 16.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 27 minutes. The Stanford transfer showed steady progress during her time in Palo Alto. Watkins and Iriafen are a dynamic pairing. One note of concern is that Iriafen limped off the court during the first half of their last game and did not return.

Kennedy Smith is a 6’1” freshman guard who found her way as a starter averaging 10.1 points and 4 rebounds in 28 minutes.

Rayah Marshall is a returning starter and a double double threat. The 6’4” senior center averages 8 points and 9.3 rebounds in 26.4 minutes.

Talia von Oelhoffen is a 5’11” graduate guard averaging 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes. The Oregon transfer was a two time All Pac 12 honeree.

Other players of note:

Avery Howell is a 6’0” freshman guard averaging 7.5 points and 3 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. The McDonalds All American was an alternate on the Canadian Olympic team.

Kayleigh Heckel was also a McDonalds All American. The 5’9” freshman guard averages 4.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.

The eight B1G wins: @ Oregon 66-53, Michigan 78-58, Nebraska 75-55, @ Rutgers 92-42, @ Maryland 79-74, Penn State 95-73, @ Indiana 73-66 and @ Purdue 79-37
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You can't win the game in one quarter, but you can definitely sure lose it in one. Got shades of that beatdown they took at home against Iowa last season.
 



Rose gives us nothing offensively, McKinney has been getting in early foul trouble lately.
 

Settled down a little the end of the 1st. Grace n Sophie leading the way. We will need 2 take those mid range shots in the paint. Need to defend the 3 point line better. USC is a top 4 team for a reason.
 

These 3s against us are killing us. Was no need of GG to collapse and let them kick it out to wide open. Ugh..was really hoping for this upset.
 

We are battling back, USC is red hot, hopefully they cool down
 



Seems as if they game plan is to drive and try to get some of their players into foul trouble, but that ain't working. USC size all and speed all around is incredible. Stewart has gone cold on her 3s and and soon as we had some brightness...they go on a run as we struggle to find offensive shots. USC has shot 15 3's already.
 




drewhaus7 said:
Seems as if they game plan is to drive and try to get some of their players into foul trouble, but that ain't working. USC size all and speed all around is incredible. Stewart has gone cold on her 3s and and soon as we had some brightness...they go on a run as we struggle to find offensive shots. USC has shot 15 3's already.
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I can hear the old coaches in my head yelling “too much dribbling”!
 

That burst right out of the gate put USC up by 10 early in the first quarter.
Gopher ladies played much better in the 2nd.
 

Yeah we get nothing out of Rose offensively. Not playing terrible but the length is really bothering the Gophs. Hopefully we settle down some and stay in it the second half. Like a broken record but Mara and Woodson would have been nice to have.
 

Cobra said:
That burst right out of the gate put USC up by 10 early in the first quarter.
Gopher ladies played much better in the 2nd.
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Yeah seems like we were little intimated. GG and others had some wild shots and going to need more production from the 3PT line.
 

Hart keeping the Gophers in it. When are we ever going to have an efficient shooting team? They miss everything around the rim including layups. To have JuJu go 0 for 10 I think we take that every time it’s just unfortunate that the Gophers cannot capitalize
 

Gophers need more Bigs, Hart trying to keep Gophers in it. USC just keeps draining threes. We miss Woodsen and Braun
 

Just getting steamrolled shooting and especially from the 3 PT line. Only Heyer has made a 3 PT FG . They have 6 players that have made at least 1 3PTer
 







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