As March of her sophomore season approaches, JuJu Watkins continues to be one of the best players and brightest stars in women’s college basketball. The USC guard has helped the Trojans to a 25-2 record and a No.

Time and again, Illinois women’s basketball seems to defy expectations. After battling No. 3 UCLA and losing 70-55 in the first of a two-game Los Angeles road trip, the 25th-ranked Illini traveled across town for a matchup with JuJu Watkins and her fourth-ranked USC Trojans.

What seemed like a scary moment in the first half turned out to be just a blip for the Trojans star in an 83-75 victory over Michigan State on Wednesday night.