Starting with USC’s JuJu Watkins, women’s college teams remain in good hands

Just just a few years ago, March Madness immediately delivered to mind men’s college basketball to a general audience well-prepared to follow the office pool cultural phenomenon, if not much else.

A simultaneous national women’s tournament? The ha was merely an afterthought, treated like a shabby property used for tax deductions. The NCAA has not improved accommodations either extend March madness branding of the women’s tournament until glaring discrepancies emerged discovered in August 2021.

Now women are kicking men’s ass and gaining popularity TV rankings.

Guys still won in the bank ($873-$6.5 million in TV rights), however the NCAA knows it has to sweeten the deal for women’s teams. Unlike their counterparts in the boys’s tournament, the women’s teams receive nothing, which is a shame. “Looking at the breakdown of the 68 (men’s) teams, I think between the 68 teams I saw $170 million” – South Carolina coach Said Dawn Staley On Saturday during a press conference. “When you start generating that kind of revenue, your campus will move in a different direction when it comes to women. So we have to fight for it.”

They actually do not have to fight for attention anymore.

They won that fight by knockout.

South Carolina defeated Iowa for the national title on Sunday, sending Caitlin Clark on her option to a blissful home – in a game that averaged 18.9 million viewers. That’s a 90% increase from the 2023 title game (when LSU sent Clark home) and a 289% increase from the 2022 title game (when South Carolina beat UConn).

Clark’s undeniable brilliance and skill contributed to unprecedented viewership, although she was not alone. He’s entering the WNBA draft alongside LSU’s Angel “Bayou Barbie” Reese and dominant South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, something some observers fear may reduce interest Next season.

This could also be true for fans who only watched because they saw themselves in Clark. However, there are still many colourful stars left to fuel the fireplace in women’s colleges.

Start with talented USC guard JuJu Watkins.

You can have seen her TV commercial with NBA star Joel Embiid sporting Watkins’ signature bun at the top. Watts showed he was playing just minutes from home in the guts of South Los Angeles supernatural balance as a first-year student. She earned her rise because the nation’s No. 1 recruit, leading USC to the Elite Eight while earning honors as an Associated Press first-team All-American. Only Clark averaged greater than Watkins’ 27.1 points per game

“JuJu has a chance to do something we’ve needed in women’s basketball for a long time. And this transcends sports and really sits at the intersection of women’s basketball and culture,” WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson he said Andlandscape.

USC will compete in the Big 10 Conference next season, drawing more eyeballs than in Pac-12 games. Watkins will become the face of the Big 10, filling and continuing to fill Clark’s void revive the sleeping one program produced by Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie. In Watkins’ first season, USC’s attendance more than tripled, with stars such as LeBron James and Kevin Hart attending her games.

“For her year as a freshman to be fearless, confident and one of the best players in the country, she needs something to build on” – UConn star Paige Bueckers he said after the Trojans bounced back last week.

Watkins isn’t the only freshman ready to take over alongside Bueckers, who is as cold as any football player – and with white privilege to boot. There is more black girl magic to behold.

Staley named freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley generational talent, capable of moments beyond the reach of most gamers – women or otherwise. Fulwiley could challenge Watkins freshman of the 12 months honors if South Carolina weren’t so loaded – including fellow freshman Tessa Johnson, who He showed up with a team-high 19 points in Sunday’s title game.

We also can’t leave out Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hildago, who was forced to do so remove nose piercing during the tournament despite wearing jewelry throughout the season. Hildago joined Watkins on the AP All-America first team; only three other freshmen have ever achieved this this honor.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said Hidalgo “will do it.” change the sport” Ivey is attempting to emulate one other game changer, Staley, who will remain South Carolina’s biggest star 12 months after 12 months as his talent continues to develop.

The sport will proceed to grow in popularity if Staley has something to say, no matter anyone else.

“I just want our game to grow.” Staley said after winning their third national title. “I do not care if it’s us. I do not care if it’s Caitlin. I do not care if it’s JuJu or Hannah. I just want our game to grow, regardless of who it’s.

He’s in good hands.

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