As the 2024-25 women's college basketball season kicks off, No. 3 USC, featuring star players JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, looks to maintain momentum against Cal Poly after a close win against No. 20 Ole Miss. Ranked teams have been under pressure, facing losses from unranked opponents in recent days, including a surprising defeat for No. 21 Creighton against South Dakota State. The match-ups of the day include USC vs. Cal Poly, West Virginia vs. Niagara, and Nebraska vs. Southeastern Louisiana, with each team aiming to avoid the upset trends.

By the Numbers
  • USC's JuJu Watkins scored 27 points, with an impressive stat line of 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 assists, and 3 steals, marking her as the first D-I player since 2018 to achieve this.
  • West Virginia's Jordan Harrison contributed 23 points, 8 assists, and 6 steals, becoming the fifth player to reach these statistics for an AP Top 25 team since 2018.
State of Play
  • USC looks to extend its 16-game home winning streak against unranked teams.
  • West Virginia aims to build on a dominant 85-41 victory over Towson, showcasing strong defensive capabilities.
  • Nebraska opened with a commanding 40-point win, looking to continue its strong record in non-conference home games.
What's Next

USC will need to fend off rising competition as they prepare for higher-stakes contests. Additionally, West Virginia and Nebraska's strong starts may set the stage for upcoming match-ups against tougher teams, increasing their respective rankings. The performance of JuJu Watkins and Jordan Harrison could dictate their teams' trajectories as potential playoff contenders.

Bottom Line

The opening day of the season underscores the unpredictability of college basketball, as ranked teams face pressure from unranked competitors. Maintaining top performance and mitigating upsets will be pivotal for schools like USC and West Virginia, which are looking to solidify their standings early in the season.