USC Women's Basketball: Lindsay Gottlieb Talks Move to Big Ten

The impact the move will have.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

USC is preparing to make the transition to the Big Ten this year after primarily spending their athletics history in the Pac-12, when the conference was originally formed as the Pac-8 in 1968.

For USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, she's anticipating increased exposure to be a major positive change for the program as they make the conference switch.

"It's nationwide now, coast to coast exposure," Gottlieb said, via USC on BTN. "We did see incredible things in the Pac-12, it was a wonderful conference to be a part of ... I think we have an incredible opportunity with where women's basketball is to be at the forefront of that, at the crux of it in this league. I'm like 'bring it on,' this is a crazy new world for women's basketball that we've been fighting for and working for, so now let's try to maximize it as much as we can."

Lindsay Gottlieb knows what the @bigten can do for her program.

The @USCWBB head coach rattles off several of the benefits. ⤵️#B1Gtoday pic.twitter.com/MvyJ4Rn7PV

— USC on BTN (@USConBTN) July 10, 2024

USC's move to the Big Ten was in large part motivated by the desire for the programs to bring in greater revenue for their sports, as the Big Ten has both a bigger contract and reach than the Pac-12.

The growth of women's basketball should help USC women's basketball benefit greatly from this. The Trojans were already set to see a lot more exposure after advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight last season and having one of the best players in the sport in JuJu Watkins. With the team playing in the Big Ten conference, they're in an even better position to capitalize on how good a team they have right now.

The Trojans should be the favorite to win the Big Ten next season. They already were the Pac-12 Champions last year, and one of the best teams in the Big Ten could take a step back this season. Iowa, who are the three-time reigning Big Ten champions, will be without Caitlin Clark, who went on to the WNBA. With all these factors combining, don't be surprised if USC women's basketball takes on even more of a national spotlight next year.

More USC: Watch Isaiah Collier's Slick Pass in Jazz Summer League Game