Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike call for USC teammates to step up following Juju Watkins injury

Elle Duncan began the ESPN halftime show during No. 1-seed USC‘s Round of 32 matchup against No. 9-seed Mississippi State by addressing the elephant in the room. She said what was on everybody’s minds inside the Galen Center.

“This totally sucks,” Duncan said, referring to Trojans superstar Juju Watkins‘ apparent leg injury suferred during the first quarter against the Bulldogs. Watkins has since been ruled out of the game, leading to Duncan’s co-hosts Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike discussing the next steps for the Trojans if they don’t have Watkins for the remainder of the tournament.

“As we pivot forward, think about all the times that Juju has come through for the team with a big play or a big shot or a big moment or a big performance, right?” Carter asked. “This is now her teammates chance to come through for Juju to make a big play, play after play, and pull together and rally for Juju.”

Ogwumike followed up. She agreed with Carter’s sentiment, saying her teammates have rised to the occasion in her absence.

“She is one of the brightest stars the game has ever seen in a city that’s known for making them. The energy — you can just feel it. We can hear it,” Ogwumike told Carter and Duncan. “It’s palpable in the Galen Center because of what she’s brought back to the program, but what I’ve really been impressed by is how her team has rallied around this moment.”

She left the game at the 4:43 minute mark of the first quarter as the Trojans led 13-2. Avery Howell entered the game for Watkins and shot the free throws in her place. Despite Watkins’ departure, her squad outscored Mississippi State 15-5 in the final half of the quarter played without her on the court and would lead by as many as 34 points before the fourth quarter.

Watkins left having scored three points, which all came at the free throw line. She also logged two assists and a rebound, putting her fingerprints all over the matchup first the opening quarter. Instead of another classic performance from the USC star, she spent the rest of the first half in the locker room.

This injury came one game after Watkins rolled her ankle in the NCAA Tournament opener. She left the game and limped to the locker room, though she quickly returned to the game. Watkins finished with 22 points and eight rebounds in their opening round win.

While the Trojans appeared to have the game under control in the first half, USC will sorely miss her production down the stretch if she is unable to return. Of course, Watkins proved herself as one of the most dominant players in the women’s game, averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per outing. She’s also connected on 42.5% of her shots from the field. Her status will continue to be updated throughout the matchup.