After falling to Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight last season, JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans are looking for a happier ending this time around. And they certainly got off to a solid start.
On Saturday, Watkins and No. 1 seed USC defeated No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro 71-25 in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the round of 32.
In 28 minutes of action, Watkins tallied 22 points and eight rebounds. However, the Big Ten Player of the Year suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter, forcing her to miss some time. She was able to return in the fourth.
After the win, cameras captured Watkins in the stands at Galen Center, scouting the next game between No. 8 California and No. 9 Mississippi State. Sitting right next to Watkins, conversing with her, was Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Like Watkins, Daniels had become a college star of himself, winning a Heisman trophy with the LSU Tigers.
JuJu Watkins and Jayden Daniels at the NCAA Women's tourney
Daniels pulled up to watch Watkins and USC get their first round win #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/WoZiTYyuQd
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 22, 2025
College basketball fans seemed to enjoy to two star athletes linking up, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.
"I know his mom definitely approved this lmao," one fan joked.
"Boy got her cheesing like," added another.
"Confirmed ! JuJu to the Mystics in 2026!" claimed a third.
"JuJu to the Mystics, I see the vision," wrote a fourth.
"I never seen her cheese so hard lol," posted a fifth.
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Daniels was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Commanders. He won the 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year award while leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game.
USC will host the winner of the California-Mississippi State game on Monday, playing for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Related: JuJu Watkins Makes College Basketball History in NCAA Tournament
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This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM.