USC Women's Basketball: Lisa Leslie Speaks on Importance of Trojans Winning Final Pac-12 Tournament

James Brizuela | Mar 28, 2024

Mar 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard India Otto (2) celebrates scoring with / Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The USC Trojans are currently battling it out in the NCAA Tournament, and the team secured its first Sweet 16 berth since 1994. This team is special, and their success has put everyone on notice—inckuding Trojans legend Lisa Leslie.

While speaking to me about the NCAAW being where it is, Leslie delved into what it means for her alma mater to be have won the Pac-12 Championship.

Lisa Leslie spoke to our @james_brizuela about USC's chances to make a deep run in this year's Women's March Madness Tournament: pic.twitter.com/syNdidpCk9

— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) March 26, 2024

"I love that for Southern California, for the Women of Troy. They understood the assignment. It was huge, and the fact that it was the last Pac-12 Championship and they won it. We all know Stanford was the favorite. They're always the favorite. When I won the Pac-10 Championship, they were the favorite."

Leslie also spoke on how even though phenom freshman JuJu Watkins was not her normal self in the Pac-12 Championship, but her returning to proper form in the NCAA Tournament means the team is dangerous.

Watkins has returned to proper form, as the Trojans took down #8 seed Kansas for their entrance into the Sweet 16. They will continue their attempts to go deep in the NCAA Tournament when they face off against #5 seed Baylor on Saturday.

As Leslie puts it, the Trojans are a "tough ma,tchup" for anyone. That has been proven true, and I imagine the team will continue to play fast paced and physical ball on their way to NCAA gold. You can see the full Lisa Leslie interview below: