Not long after the final buzzer rang on USC’s last season, freshman All-American Juju Watkins was ready for the next one.

Still on the court, in tears at the end of an unexpected Elite 8 run, she said “I’m just excited for next year.”

From the looks of a high-spirited, intense practice last week, it looks like Watkins’ returning and new teammates feel the same way. Seamless rotations of offensive scrimmage drills were punctuated with a lot of on-court communication, as burgeoning chemistry showed.

The Trojans, who open their season Monday in a Paris tournament, couldn’t be more thrilled to get going.

“It’s been fun – it’s been really exciting,” fourth-year coach Lindsay Gottlieb said of team practices over the last month. “But halfway through an extended training camp, players are getting antsy.”

There’s a lot to look forward to, as Watkins and five other returners have nine new teammates as they enter their first season in the Big Ten Conference. And coming off of a deep NCAA Tournament run, USC is hungry for more.

“The stage has been elevated, and expectations are elevated for all of us,” Gottlieb said of her team, which is ranked No. 3 in the AP preseason poll. “There’s definitely a target on our backs, and we’re ready for it.”

Watkins broke the national freshman scoring record last year, as well as numerous school records, and is an early favorite for player of the year in 2024-2025. In fulfilling a dream of helping bring the program back to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 for the first since in 30 years, the Los Angeles native averaged 27.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.29 assists per game.

In Watkins’ debut a year ago, she lead the Trojans over No. 7 Ohio State, with 32 points. At Stanford in February, she put up a mind-blowing, career-high 51 points. She said she was motivated to develop her game this past summer because she has title dreams.

“I love the work, and I definitely have a lot to work on,” Watkins said. “I always believe I can go a step further every time, and I love the game so much and expect the best of myself and my team. I know its gong to take a lot of work to get a championship, but everyone has bought in here.”

Gottlieb said she’s noticed the difference in Watkins.

“She’s come into this gym as a better player, and the game has slowed down for her,” Gottlieb said. “She’s picking apart defenses, has lead us in assists in every practice, and is still being a scoring threat at all times. She has found her voice a bit, and has been able to be more vocal as well. It’s been fun to see.”

Trojan players wait to be subbed into a drill rotation. Sue Favor photo.

Watkins also seems to exude more confidence, and she said she is trying to guide the team’s seven freshmen in the same way she was as a newbie.

“As a freshman, I didn’t know much coming in here,” she said. “Now I have a better idea of what’s coming, and I’m trying to prepare my teammates who were in my position last year as much as possible, and give them my perspective and encouragement.”

Alongside Watkins is senior center/forward starter Rayah Marshall (10.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg), senior center reserve Clarice Akunwafo (2.1 ppg, 3 rpb), sophomore guards Malia Samuels and Aaliyah Gayles, and junior guard Dominique Darius.

Though they lost three starters last season, USC has two high-caliber replacements in graduate transfers Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen.

Iriafen was Stanford’s top scorer as a junior, with 19.4 points and 11 rebounds per game. She went off for a career-high 41 points in the NCAA Tournament. At Oregon State, von Oelhoffen averaged 11.2 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds per game and helped the Beavers make an unexpected appearance in the Elite 8.

Gottlieb said the Trojans are lucky to have them.

“They are critical grad transfers for us because they had a lot of experience, and a lot of experience winning, which is unique in college basketball,” she said. “They are really dynamic players who are not afraid to lead. They mesh well with Juju, and they bring a veteran presence that mixes well with the youth that we have.”

Iriafen said the move to Troy has been a change from former Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer’s structure, to what she calls the professional style of Gottlieb, which has given her more flexibility.

“It’s given me better basketball IQ, and here there are so many great players that I’m just (working on) finding that flow in the offense,” Iriafen said. “I don’t have to score all the time, so I can (also) rebound and play defense.”

“It’s been a lot less pressure for me being here. I’m just trying to have fun in my senior year.”

The combination of Watkins and Iriafen is something that excites coaches and players alike.

“We get along super-great,” Iriafen said of her teammate. “She has a great work ethic…..if anything, we’re playing off of each other and letting each other doing our own thing. But we’re also looking for each other.”

Marshall and Akunwafo, with Iriafen, means that the Trojans will have post depth. Iriafen said playing with Marshall, who is also a Los Angeles native, has made her a better player.

“Rayah has pushed me,” Iriafen said. “It’s not easy going against her in practice – she’s very physical. She’s someone who can really do the job.”

USC’s freshman roster is one reason that Iriafen said the team is “a threat from 1-15.” Guard Kennedy Smith, who was the Gatorade California player of the year last season, has made a strong early impression. Gottlieb said she can play both sides of the ball.

“I haven’t seen a freshman as advanced defensively as she is,” Gottlieb said. “What makes her special is that she’s an elite offensive talent, but she’s just as comfortable making the assist.”

Guard Avery Howell, from Boise, was named an alternate on the Canadian Olympic team last summer.

“She’s tough, learns quickly and shoots the ball well,” Gottlieb said.

Kayleigh Heckel, from New York, is another guard who promises to make some noise, after scoring 2,400 points in high school and being named a McDonald’s All-American. Other newcomers include forwards Vivian Iwuchuckwu and Laura Williams, and guards Brooklyn Shamblin and Rian Forestier.

Gottlieb is no stranger to reassembling rosters, as this is her third reconstructed team since she took the helm in Troy. But because of the steps the program took last year, and due to the presence of Watkins, the stakes are higher now.

“This is a different team personnel-wise, but the culture remains the same,” Gottlieb said. “The bar was raised the second last season ended. We want to be one of the best teams in the country, and we’re trying to build off those habits. We’re seeing competitive excellence every day.”

Assistant coach Beth Burns addresses the next practice group. Sue Favor photo.

Watkins said everyone on the roster feels a sense of urgency going into the year.

“We’re really starting to learn each other and build a lot of chemistry, and I’m excited to see where we end up,” she said. “Everyone here can hoop, and I’m excited to play with them.”

Gottlieb said she loves the direction in which her “young players and great veterans” are heading.

“The culture in the gym is a lot of people who care about winning, and a lot of people who care about spending extra time in the gym,” she said. “We’re definitely a unique mix of youthful energy.”

Iriafen characterizes the team’s style as “very fast-paced, and aggressive on defense.”

“You can expect anyone to go out and get a bucket, not just relying on two or three people, and just having a lot of fun. We joke around and have fun, but we know when to really lock in. There’s a lot of love, a lot of fun, and then – showtime!”

USC kicks off the season against No. 20 Ole Miss in Paris, France on Monday at 9 a.m. PT, on ESPN.

Despite spending almost all of her life in Memphis, Madison Griggs knows a thing or two about long distance. She set the University of Memphis career 3-point record with 363 makes. Right now, she’s in Sweden, in her first season as a pro.

Griggs spoke to Swish Appeal about Memphis basketball, career milestones and establishing her legacy, as well as her own clothing brand, 96th & Madison. Some highlights from the conversation include:

On creating her own shots rather than having others create for her:

It comes naturally for me to create for myself nowadays. I do want to get in the rhythm of just catching and shooting and be able to make 40 percent of those [3-pointers], because I feel like those would be easier, but obviously, looking at my history, they’re not easier for me. So that is something that I have been working on since I’ve been [in Sweden]. Here, it’s just being ready to shoot, catching and shooting, because I know I can create and make it off the dribble anytime. Now I’m just focusing on being ready to shoot, because I have a great point guard who can get me as many shots as I want.

On whether she thinks her record 363 3s made for the University of Memphis will ever be broken:

Yeah, I think it’s going to take a minute, but the game is evolving so much faster, it is turning into a 3-point game, so I think it definitely will be broken, but you never know how fast. I think mine took… 10 years? (The previous record was broken by Rodney Carney in 2006 with 287 3s.) I forgot. Yeah, more than about 15 years. I feel like it’ll get broken. In the next, I’ll say… less than 10 years.

On what she wants her legacy to be:

Just greatness, you know? [To be] somebody who doesn’t stop, no matter what happens in life. Because life always happens, you know? But it’s just how do you react to life, how do you react to situations that don’t benefit you and not allowing yourself to be someone who becomes closed and doesn’t want to continue to grow. Just somebody who does whatever they put their mind to, really.

A special thank you to Sotiris Liomas of Elite Basketball Agents for arranging the interview.

Last year’s NCAAW freshmen class was a thrilling one, headlined by USC superstar JuJu Watkins, who scored a freshman-record 920 points. She also had a 51-point performance against Stanford, led USC to the Elite Eight and was named the national Freshman of the Year.

Watkins undoubtedly shined, but other freshmen also made waves and are ready for more this year. Here are the five sophomores one should keep an eye on this season:

JuJu Watkins (USC)

How will the star of her class take things to the next level during the 2024-25 season? By winning the national title. That’s the plan anyway. With reinforcements like Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen in the fold, the objective for the Trojans is to get further this time—and win it all.

Individually, Watkins proved what an unstoppable offensive power she is, but there is still room for improvement. Her scoring was often inefficient, with a shooting percentage of 40.1 percent. 3-point shooting could also improve from the 31.9 percent she averaged in her first year. If she can improve those averages and her assist numbers, then the best college moments from Watkins are still to come.

Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame)

Photo by Lance King/Getty Images

Hidalgo was a thrill to watch at Notre Dame last year, averaging 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Fighting Irish.

What separates her from her peers is her defensive prowess. Hidalgo is an elite defender on the ball. She averaged 4.6 steals per game, more than any other player in the NCAA. Last season, people were impressed with how quickly she impacted the game. This year, she will be in the running for national Player of the Year.

Madison Booker (Texas)

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

When the moments got bigger, Booker shined brightest. She had 21 points in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Alabama and 17 in Texas’ Elite Eight loss to NC State. With Rori Harmon returning, the Longhorns will be one of the most talented teams in the country.

Mikaylah Williams (LSU)

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

As if the Tigers needed more talented players, they have another one in Williams.

Last year, she was the future of LSU basketball. Now, it’s her time. Williams averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season; you can expect all those numbers to increase. She’s already flirting with being a 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc. With her speed and ability to drive to the basket, she’s becoming unstoppable at the collegiate level.

If LSU wins it all this year, Williams will undoubtedly be a big reason why.

MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina)

Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images

Fulwiley is an interesting player to add to this list. Is she a top-five sophomore right now? Maybe not. Will she be one by the end of the season? Maybe. It’ll depend on playing time. Being a Gamecock, the standard is perfection, and there is no room for grace or growth on the court during games. If she reduces mistakes, she can force head coach Dawn Staley’s hand and earn more time.

Last year, she looked good during her moments on the floor, averaging 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in her 18.7 minutes of play.

There were plenty of other players worthy of being mentioned. Audi Crooks is an exciting center from Iowa State. Auburn guard Taliah Scott and Kansas guard S’Mya Nichols both could make noise.

Not to mention the players no one sees coming and could take an unexpected jump after a tough first year. The future of women’s college basketball is in good hands, and now we get to see what this top class does to one-up their freshman performances.

The WNBL returned to action on October 30, with the season running into the first half of March.

From now until then, enjoy watching exciting games featuring some of world basketball’s biggest names. The Australian Women’s National Team, known as the Opals, won bronze in this summer’s Olympics and most of that roster will be present on the courts of Adelaide, Perth or Sydney. Seeing those players play in front of home crowds, feeding off their energy, is one of the reasons to watch the WNBL.

The Opals are the third-best national team in the world

The Opals have been among the top women’s basketball national teams for decades, both in 5×5 and 3×3 settings. Players like Alice Kunek or Rebecca Cole are established vets, who missed out on the Olympics, but it will be refreshing to see the two friends play on the Southside Flyers, the WNBL’s reigning champs. Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo, two Olympians, will be starting for the Bendigo Spirit. For Whitcomb, it will be her third team in three seasons. For Jade Melbourne, it will be her fourth season serving as the floor general for the UC Capitals, where she returns following a solid year off the bench for the Washington Mystics. And speaking of the Capitals…

Charli Collier takes her talents to Australia

Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Swish Appeal asked Charli Collier about her goals for her first WNBL season, and here’s what she said:

First and foremost, to win. To jolt my teammates and just get a good feel for the WNBL, as it’s my first season here in Canberra. So I’m just excited to get everything going. I would say ultimately team goals are first. You know, obviously for me myself getting 1% better each day is another goal, but ultimately just winning.

The former No. 1 pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft is the biggest name to join the WNBL this season. Her WNBA career didn’t go as expected, but joining an unstable organization—in seven seasons the Dallas Wings have gone through five coaches, and will be hiring their sixth this offseason—definitely didn’t help her find her footing as a pro. Out of the league since 2022, Collier has played in Italy, Israel, Mexico, Poland and China. She’s only 25 years old and we wouldn’t mind seeing her play in the W again after successful season for the UC Capitals.

New players on the block

Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The Melbourne Boomers are no more. The one-time champs have traded their license to Geelong United, citing financial losses and general frustration with the league as the reasons behind that decision. This is not mere relocation, but a new team with a new roster. The star of that roster is supposed to be Jaz Shelley, the 2019 WNBL Rookie of the Year who played college basketball at Oregon and Nebraska and was selected No. 29 by the Phoenic Mercury in the 2024 WNBA Draft. While she’s yet to play in her first WNBA game, it will be interesting to see her test her all-around skills against the pros.

US players in the WNBL

Adelaide Lightning: Brianna Turner, Japreece Dean

Bendigo Spirit: Veronica Burton

Geelong United: Haley Jones, Lynetta Kizer

Perth Lynx: Teige Morrell

Southside Flyers: Mikayla Vaughn, Naz Hillmon

Sydney Flames: Celeste Taylor, Mikaela Ruef, Yemiya Morris

Townville Fire: Nya Lok

UC Capitals: Charli Collier, Nicole Munger

Last season, NC State was predicted to finish eighth in the ACC. The Wolfpack, of course, obliterated those expectations. After rising as high as No. 1 in the national rankings, the Pack finished the season at No. 2 in the conference standings, advancing all the way to the Final Four before falling to the eventual national champions, South Carolina.

So, expect the unexpected in the ACC, which, with the addition of three new teams in Stanford, Cal and SMU, will feature games from coast to coast—and plenty of opportunities for upsets. But Notre Dame, last seasons’s ACC Tournament champions, begin the season as the favorites, earning 70 of 79 first-place votes from the league’s 18 head coaches and a Blue Ribbon Panel. NC State received eight first-places votes, with Stanford getting the remaining one. Here’s the full standings prediction for the conference’s 18 teams:

1. Notre Dame
2. NC State
3. Duke
4. Louisville
5. Florida State
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Miami
9. Virginia
10. Georgia Tech
11. Syracuse
12. Virginia Tech
13. Clemson
14. California
15. Boston College
16. SMU
17. Wake Forest
18. Pitt

And here are our thoughts on the Irish, Wolfpack and Blue Devils of Duke, along with a tiering of the ACC’s other 15 teams:

Notre Dame

Last season, junior guard Olivia Miles’ season-long recovery from a right knee injury, along with intermittent injury troubles for junior guard Sonia Citron and other members of the Fighting Irish, resulted in a lot of responsibility for then-freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo. She, undoubtedly, rose to the challenge. A scoring dynamo and defensive menace, Hidalgo was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, leading the Irish to the ACC Tournament title before taking them to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2024-25, Notre Dame shouldn’t have to be the Hidalgo Show, although she has been named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Not only is Miles, a two-time All-ACC First Team honoree, back, but Citron and senior forward Maddy Westbeld return, while senior forwards Liza Karlen and Liatu King arrive in South Bend from Marquette and Pitt, respectively. Plus, the team welcomes freshman forward Kate Koval, the No. 5 recruit in the class of 2024. Hidalgo, Miles and Citron were voted to the Preseason All-ACC First Team; Karlen and Koval were selected to the conference’s Newcomer Watch List.

But, such depth of talent doesn’t mean that head coach Niele Ivey’s team won’t experience some early-season turbulence. While the backcourt pairing of Hidalgo and Miles ultimately could become one of the nation’s best, don’t be surprised if there are some growing pains as Hidalgo adapts her ball-dominant style, which she adopted by necessity last season, to reincorporate Miles.

NC State

The Wolfpack will not be underdogs this year. And a big reason is their backcourt.

Last season, the guard tandem of Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James were breakout stars, with the now-seniors both earning All-ACC First Team honors, while Rivers also was named to the conference’s All-Defensive Team. Rivers’ dynamic athleticism allows her to create good chaos for the Wolfpack on both ends of the floor. James is one of the purest scorers in the game, not only able to ignite from behind the arc but also effective from the midrange. Both have been selected to the Preseason All-ACC Team.

On top of those two, expect a bigger impact from sophomore guard Zoe Brooks. An ACC All-Freshman team honoree last season, she sports a well-rounded game, exemplified by her recording only the second triple-double in program history. Freshman guard Zamareya Jones could give head coach Wes Moore a quartet of dangerous guards. Ranked as the No. 21 recruit in the class of 2024, Jones possesses elite passing vision and skill, with the potential to inject the Pack attack with extra verve. She’s been named to the conference’s Newcomer Watch List.

To meet lofty expectations, including contending for the conference crowns, NC State just needs some steady frontcourt players to emerge following the graduations of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins.

Duke

Are the Blue Devils back as a national power? A perennial contender through the 2000s and into the 2010s, Duke advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018 last season. Can they achieve bigger aims? Maybe the program’s first ACC regular-season or tournament title since 2013?

The Blue Devils have the talent to make that happen. But once again, head coach Kara Lawson might have to work some magic, as the team will be counting on players of all experience levels. Senior guard Reigan Richardson returns as the team’s leader, voted to the Preseason All-ACC Team. Graduate guard Vanessa de Jesus, junior guard Ashlon Jackson, junior guard Taina Mair and sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa give the Blue Devils further depth in the backcourt.

Youngsters will be expected to add pop and power in the frontcourt, headlined by the dunking Canadian freshman forward Toby Fournier. The No. 10 recruit in the class of 2024, Fournier has been named to the ACC Newcomer Watch List. For the Blue Devils to be at their best, they’ll also need to get something from fellow freshman big Arianna Roberson, the No. 17 recruit in the class. Add in a breakout sophomore season for wing Jadyn Donovan, and Duke likely will have re-established themselves as a conference and national power.

Tier 2: Louisville, Florida State, North Carolina Stanford

Each of these teams could make a strong case to be included in the top tier.

Louisville welcomes a five-player freshman class, headlined by three top 25 recruits in guard Imari Berry, forward Mackenly Randolph and guard Tajianna Roberts. Berry has been named to the ACC’s Newcomer Watch List. Senior guard Ja’Leah Williams also has traded the green and orange of Miami for Louisville’s red and white. However, the Cardinals success will come down to experienced returners: senior guard Jayda Curry and graduate forward Olivia Cochran. To get ready for a big season, Curry spent part of the offseason in Paris, training with Cardinals legend Angel McCoughtry.

Experience also will be essential at Florida State, where junior guard Ta’Niya Latson and senior forward Makayla Timpson, both of whom were selected to the Preseason All-ACC Team, are set to lead the Seminoles. Last season, the Noles were the conference’s highest scoring team, propelled by the scoring exploits of Latson, who averaged almost 22 points a game. Look for FSU to remain a point-scoring powerhouse in 2024-25.

North Carolina, in contrast, prefers to win ugly, a style epitomized by graduate wing Alyssa Ustby’s do-everything style of play. A Preseason All-ACC Team nominee, she averaged a double-double of 12.4 and 10 rebounds in conference play last season; she also became the first player in program history to record a triple double. However, Ustby will need help if the Tar Heels are to exceed expectations, especially with last season’s top scorer, Deja Kelly, off to Oregon. While graduate guard Lexi Donarski can fire in daggers from behind the arc, junior guard Indya Nivar or sophomore guard Reniya Kelly will need to offer more self-created scoring. The Tar Heels also will hope for something special from redshirt freshman forward Ciera Toomey. The No. 4 recruit in the class of 2023, she missed all of last season rehabbing multiple injuries.

New conference. New coach. Same Stanford? We’ll see. The transition to the ACC could be quite challenging for new head coach Kate Paye and the Cardinal, as frequent cross-country flights could make being consistently competitive with the conference’s best teams difficult. The team also will be looking for new stars to emerge, as Cameron Brink headed to the WNBA and Kiki Iriafen transferred to USC. Junior Aussie guard Tess Heal, who transferred to Palo Alto from Santa Clara, is a name to watch, as she averaged 19.5 points and 4.9 assists per game last season. She’s also only the third undergraduate transfer in the program’s history.

Tier 3: Miami, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Virginia stands out as a squad that could overachieve. Last season, the Cavaliers flashed more than their fair share of spunk behind now-sophomore guard Kymora Johnson, a Preseason All-ACC Team honoree. Syracuse, in contrast, may struggle to maintain their place in the conference hierarchy due to the departure of super-scorer Dyaisha Fair. At Georgia Tech, head coach Nell Fortner remains one of the sport’s sharpest minds. Expect her to wring more wins than projected out of the Yellow Jackets.

Both Miami and Virginia Tech are entering new eras, with Tricia Cullop taking over for the long-tenured Katie Meir in Coral Gables and Megan Duffy succeeding the successful Kenny Brooks in Blacksburg. Cullop should benefit from the return of graduate guards and twin sisters Haley and Hanna Cavinder, who are back with the Hurricanes after their one-season retirements from college basketball. Duffy will look to rely on senior forward Rose Micheaux and senior wing Matilda Ekh, both of whom were key contributors to last season’s ACC regular-season title winner.

Tier 4: Clemson, California, Boston College, SMU, Wake Forest, Pitt

This new era of college sports, defined by the transfer portal and NIL deals, appears to be creating a bigger gulf between a conference’s top tier programs, which effectively take advantage of player movement and compensation opportunities, and those in the bottom tier, which lack the appeal required to compete in the sport’s high-stakes player marketplace. These six programs fall into the latter category, having yet to figure out how to distinguish themselves. Until they do, they’ll be resigned to the conference’s cellar.

But if one of them is to breakthrough, look for it to be Clemson under new head coach Shawn Poppie.