USC Women's Basketball: Lindsay Gottlieb Defends JuJu Watkins From Critics After Inefficient Night Vs WSU

Lindsay Gottlieb sticks up for her star freshman.

USC freshman Juju Watkins has not had her best shooting performances in the Trojans' last couple of games versus Washington State and Washington.

After Watkins went 10-27 from the field during USC's 70-62 win against Washington State, she received questions regarding her efficiency. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb spoke up for her young star after the Washington State win.

"A lot comes with who she is," Gottlieb said. "We are playing Pac-12 teams, who are some of the best defensive teams in the league ... Every single game plan is about how to stop this kid. Yet when we still feel like when she misses we're surprised.

via Luca Evans.

Amazing example of the bond between JuJu Watkins/Lindsay Gottlieb here.

After Watkins gets asked a couple Qs about struggles w/efficiency, Gottlieb steps in and advocates for her.

“There’s not one ounce of me that wants to change or stifle anything she’s capable of doing.” pic.twitter.com/cfQmCpfrGg

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) January 27, 2024

Even without her greatest performance, Watkins still put up 29 points against Washington State, almost hitting what would have been her seventh 30-point game of the season. She and McKenzie Forbes combined for over 70% of the Trojans of the offense in the win over the Cougars, and were invaluable during the tough victory.

As Gottlieb pointed out, the Pac-12 teams they have been facing in Utah, Colorado, UCLA, Washington State, and Washington are all really strong teams defensively. With how good Watkins is and the notoriety she's earned, of course opposing squads are going to put in extra effort toward limiting her.

This was the case against Washington Sunday, as the Huskies defense honed in on limiting Watkins. Even though Washington limited Watkins to shooting just 6-20 through the first three quarters, she still ended the game with 19 points.

Given the amount of production she puts up with so much pressure, Gottlieb is totally in support of Watkins.

"With the amount of responsibility she has for our team, I want her to feel like 'I can miss and figure it out. I can make the next right play,' Gottlieb added. "There’s not one ounce of me that wants to change or stifle anything she’s capable of doing."

via Evans.