The return of Big Ten Women’s Basketball this week was highlighted by the return of one of college basketball’s biggest stars and a defining early-season win from Michigan.
A Return 588 Days in the Making
JuJu Watkins played her first game in 588 days on Monday, and it was like she never left. Watkins scored 21 points in 21 minutes as No. 3 USC hit the century mark in a 100-66 victory over UNLV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
"The game is just better with her in it," said USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the game.
Just as impressive in the victory were two of Watkins’ teammates who were also No. 1 recruits in their respective classes: sophomore Jazzy Davidson and freshman Saniyah Hall. Davidson, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, led the Women of Troy with 23 points on 10-of-11 shooting and four assists. The 2026 class’s No. 1 overall recruit, Hall tallied 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in her collegiate debut, as the trio combined for 66 of USC’s 100 points. Five Trojans finished in double figures. More here.
USC is back in action on Sunday against Utah State. You can see it on Big Ten Network at 8 p.m. ET.
No. 5 Michigan Takes Down No. 2 UConn
When head coach Kim Barnes Arico welcomed her talented freshman class two years ago, she must’ve dreamt of a night like Thursday. Now juniors, Te’Yala Delfosse, Olivia Olson and Syla Swords combined to score 51 of No. 5 Michigan’s 77 points on the way to a 77-66 victory over No. 2 UConn and the highest-ranked win in program history.
“We love it here. Coach does a great job of bringing really great players in, great personalities,” said Swords after the game. “We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and that’s what keeps us all here at the end of the day.”
In a game that featured 14 lead changes and nine ties, the Wolverines closed out the Huskies like the veteran team they now are – outscoring the perennial national championship contenders 22-13 in the fourth quarter. Delfosse gave the best performance of her collegiate career, pouring in a career-high 22 points and grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. Olson was all over the court with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals, and Swords contributed 10 points and five boards while playing all but 47 seconds of the game. Michigan also saw huge contributions from players who complement that junior core: in their first games as Wolverines, Courtney Ogden tallied 12 points in 13 minutes off the bench and Dallas Loughridge had nine assists.
There could be no better way to start the season – a historic win and a message sent to the rest of the country. More from Ann Arbor.
See the rest of the opening week’s scores and schedule, including defending champion No. 11 UCLA’s first two victories.