• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025

March Madness Shift: Will Other Stars Maintain Momentum Without JuJu?

JuJu Watkins’s ACL injury removes one of the tournament’s most popular players—though new stars are poised to emerge.

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans forward Kiki Iriafen (44) grabs a rebound in front of Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Jerkaila Jordan (2) during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament second round game at Galen Center.
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Life after Caitlin Clark has gone about as expected for the women’s March Madness tournament. Viewership is down significantly, but the retention rate is high enough that the first two rounds still broke records when excluding last year’s numbers. 

But the continued success of the tournament was in no small part due to USC star JuJu Watkins. The Trojans had the second-most-watched women’s game of the first round and the third-most-watched game of the second round—even if the latter tipped off at 10 p.m. ET on Monday.

However, the second game saw Watkins go down with a season-ending ACL tear—one that will probably keep her out for most, if not all, of next season as well—which could be a slight setback in the momentum of women’s basketball especially after Paige Bueckers’s likely departure from UConn at the end of this season.

Luckily for March Madness and its rights holder, ESPN, Bueckers and UConn are still alive in this year’s tournament. The Huskies games were the most watched of each round, despite both being blowouts. UConn is a 15.5-point favorite to beat Oklahoma in the Sweet 16, though their Elite Eight battle was set up to be a duel against Watkins and the Trojans, which would have been the tournament’s best challenge at mirroring the Caitlin Clark Effect this year. The two sides drew 2.2 million viewers when they met in December, still the most-watched women’s basketball game of the season.

Remember the Names

Like last year, the remainder of the tournament will be a chance for new stars to emerge, whether for the next NCAA season or as they turn pro.

Notre Dame and TCU square off Saturday with several top prospects, with the Fighting Irish’s Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron facing the Horned Frogs’ Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince. Citron, Van Lith, and Prince are all expected to be in the 2025 WNBA draft, while Miles is projected to go as high as No. 2—unless she decides to return to college.

If she chooses to stay in school, a high-profile win over TCU and a deeper tournament run alongside Hidalgo—who is second to Watkins in odds to win the Wooden Award, and, like Watkins, will be WNBA draft eligible in 2027—could put the spotlight on South Bend next year.

Most of the powerhouse programs are still on the board because no team below the No. 5 seed advanced to the Sweet 16. Dawn Staley and South Carolina are right behind the Huskies as the tournament favorites, SEC rivals Texas and LSU have looked impressive, and UCLA’s Lauren Betts is third in Wooden Award odds. USC is not out of the picture with Kiki Iriafen, a projected top-five WNBA draft pick, taking over in the absence of Watkins.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.
Malonga

Turkish Dispute Could Cloud French Star’s Return to WNBA 

Fenerbahçe needs to give Dominique Malonga a “letter of clearance.”

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Keegan Murray

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
BYU

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.
October 19, 2025

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.
Indiana
October 20, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Sports World—Again

After successful NBA and WNBA seasons, Indiana’s football teams are thriving.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
October 19, 2025

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.
October 17, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”