UConn Huskies vs. USC Trojans: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Fab freshman, JuJu Watkins, leads the USC Trojans against rejuvenated Paige Buckers in the Elite Eight game that fans had been rooting for from the Portland Regional 3 conference. The Women of Troy won their Pac-12 Women’s tournament by defeating Stanford and have breezed through the early rounds of the NCAA tournament. While USC is in the Elite Eight for the first time in thirty years, UConn is a regular customer in the later stages of March Madness, with this year marking the twenty-eight Elite Eight appearance for the Huskies. UConn are huge favorites ahead of the clash, despite not having a full roster available. However, their talisman, Paige Buckers, has been leading the line after missing last year’s Sweet Sixteen loss through injury.

Basketball: NCAA Women’s Division I Elite Eight

Where to Watch: ESPN

Venue: Moda Center – Portland, Oregon

Date: 02.04.2024 04:15

UConn will be seeking a 23rd Final Four appearance after last year's heartbreak. They lost at the Sweet Sixteen stage, breaking a streak of fourteen consecutive appearances at the Elite Four. Buckers watched her team lose from the sidelines after suffering a knee injury. The Huskies’ star is back this season, but the roster is depleted, and UConn had to dig deep to beat Duke 53-45. The Huskies brushed aside Jackson State and Syracuse in the earlier rounds.

This seems like a throwback time to USC, you know? Ironically, this is the first time we’re meeting in the (tournament), but it goes to show you how long they’ve been away from the limelight. One player and one coach can make a difference. Here they are, and here we are. I wish we could both win, but we can’t.

Geno Auriemma (UConn coach)

The Women of Troy won the 2024 Pac-12 Conference women’s tournament and returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1986. Climbing up the rankings this season, USC has had a memorable season powered by their sensational freshman JuJu Watkins. The top-ranked high school recruit from Sierra Canyon has shown poise and confidence while scoring tirelessly in her first year on the circuit. In their last game, the eighteen-year-old scored 30 points for the 14 time this season as USC scraped past Baylor to reach the last eight.

The Connecticut Huskies are 1.576 favorites on 1XBET, which prices the underdog at 2.47. UConn to win both halves is priced at 8 odds on Betwinner, which also prices the over 135.5 at 1.909 odds. Bet365 lists a total under 65 for USC Trojans at 1.90 odds, with a total over 65 for UConn available at 1.90 too. Read more here.