USC Women's Basketball: TV Inspiration Shows Up In The Flesh For Win Vs ASU

Did he buoy them to a W?

During their 81-63 blowout victory over the Arizona State University Sun Devils last night, your USC Trojans were graced by the presence of one of the ultimate modern fictional sports figures: Ted Lasso himself, Jason Sudeikis.

Coach Lasso 🤝 Coach G

Great to have Jason Sudeikis in the building tonight! pic.twitter.com/Kgr5CLpE5Q

— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) February 10, 2024

After the game, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb revealed how she felt about having a celebrity interloper sitting courtside, as The Associated Press/The Los Angeles Times details.

“I’m totally starstruck,” Gottlieb said. “I was excited to see him here tonight.”

The Apple TV+/"Saturday Night Live" star has been a consistent staple, particularly at women's hoops events, in the last few years. 

Whether or not the star of one of the most feel-good sports shows in recent streaming memory had much of a galvanizing impact on USC is unclear, given that the club has just been on an absolute heater of late. Today, as on most days, 6'2" freshman wing JuJu Watkins again led the way, scoring 31 points on 11-of-25 shooting from the floor and 8-of-9 shooting from the charity stripe, plus seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 37 minutes of action. Naismith Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rayah Marshall submitted a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double, while also chipping in three dimes and three blocks. 

Only one other player, grad student guard McKenzie Forbes, scored more than eight points. She had 18 on 50% shooting.