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How to watch: USC Trojans vs UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•03/30/25•

ErikTMcKinney

Avery Howell
USC Trojans guard Avery Howell (23) shoots against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half of a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Spokane Arena. (James Snook-Imagn Images)

The No. 1-seed USC Trojans found a way past the No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats in the Sweet 16 while playing without superstar JuJu Watkins and now Lindsay Gottlieb’s program heads to the Elite 8 for a matchup against the No. 2 UConn Huskies.

Here’s how to watch:

Game Facts

Teams: [1] USC Trojans (31-3) vs [2] UConn Huskies (34-3)
Series history: UConn leads 3-1, including a win in last year’s Elite Eight
Date: Monday, March 31
Time: 6 pm PT
Location: Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington
Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe (Spokane, Wash.)
Betting line: UConn -13.5; over/under is 140.5

Last time out for both teams

USC started slow offensively in its first full game without Watkins, who will miss the remainder of the tournament after suffering a torn ACL. The Trojans eventually worked their way to a 67-61 win. Freshmen standouts Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell stepped up in her place. Smith scored a team-high 19 points while Howell tied her season high with 18 points. She’s hit that mark in back-to-back tournament games. Howell connected on four of USC’s six made three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds and had a game-high four steals.

After veteran Kiki Iriafen put together a huge performance against Mississippi State when Watkins went down, she was largely quiet against the Wildcats. She scored just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting and went 1-for-4 from the floor, including two big misses late in the game.

UConn has had zero trouble in this tournament, blowing out No. 15 Arkansas State 103-34, No. 10 South Dakota State 91-57 and No. 3 Oklahoma 82-59. Huskies superstar Paige Bueckers wasn’t needed much in the opening-round win but has been on fire over the last two. She scored 34 points in the Round 2 win and poured in a career-high 40 points against Oklahoma, turning a tight first half into an eventual blowout.

The Huskies recorded 18 steals as part of forcing 23 Oklahoma turnovers.


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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz