(2) USC vs (7) Arizona | 2024 Pac-12 Tournament: Quarterfinals | 3.7.24

Arizona and a Dia Barnes team but they have got their defensive system down and it creates so many opportunities we'll see if they can do that again today USC gets the tip you mentioned the three freshman for Arizona and then three graduate student transfers from the ivy league for USC the takeaway Martinez and they're going to call a travel so the defense for USC getting back they give it up but then they force the turnover with the defense able to get back taking care of the ball the top emphasis for any team that plays Arizona but especially what lindsy gotley told us it's the first thing out of every coach's mouth composure they want to be aggressive they want to get to the free throw line does USC starts on Watkins almost another turn for the Trojans aggressive drive and just waiting on the other side what did the D give you they gave her Ray Marshall she has been been so fun to watch this entire season she was the number one recruit and she showed us why double dribble yep 222 career blocks at USC well last year a finalist for defensive player of the year the top three p 12 honorable mentioned this year see the hard traps coming at at Juju that's the big Focus for Arizona make it difficult for Juju Watkins but can others get it done and Padilla says I will take qu and in the high post Cunningham no good they just inviting Cunningham to take that shot hesitation on the dribble for Juju Watkins and she's going to go to the free throw line you said it smart decision making just those those little things that make a difference to get you to the line as opposed to came in every High School Accolade you could think of gets the free throws so she averages eight free throw attempts per game so if you go eight for eight you start the game with eight points on the board that's the impact she has yep averaging 28 points per game overall second in the nation behind Caitlyn Clark as you can see the emotion from Ry Marshall with the block on BR Cunningham that's her specialty and then the drive defense to offense they have completely elevated her basketball IQ in a big way not just basketball though they were talking about the stock market around her when she was just hanging out with them on a walk and she said what are you guys talking talking about Juju really admires the fact that they have Ventures outside of basketball going on too I think the thing that's important to keep in mind about these three graduate transfers is they came to USC for a reason and a purpose to go to graduate school to better their lives and just take that degree that they got in the Iva leagues and do better at USC and to be part of this basketball program but they're adults they know who they are they're not trying to figure things out like we all were had some big games transfer from West Virginia this year here for Arizona Martinez squares it up just missing USC wants to push this Tempo the transition D there for the Wildcats feel the double come from Bay Marshall keeps it up high great pass from Forbes pass it out of the double find the open player and [Applause] selfish with four points trying to shake Watkins gets the shot to rattle in first points of the game for Arizona after USC goes up 13 nothing Aron can get him going yeah I mean they thrive on chaos they have not been able to create any chaos the chaos has been created by Juju Watkins and these Trojans Banks it up some contact holding her head she's going to have bodies come at her a defense hands up almost to take away Blakeley able to get it back she was trying to find Bay inside open Marshall put those outreached hands up if Juju Watkins is on the bench you must take advantage of those minutes and put some points on the board and shut down the Trojans so you can play a little catchup gets them both she had 14 in the win last night against Washington and here's that full court pressure from the Wildcats and the trap of high trying to save it was fors and instead the turnover Arizona trying to push Bay Marshall Ray and Marshall diving in fired up I think R Marshall's trying to make a point I'm not an all Pack 12 player are you kidding me have you seen me play defense have you seen my double doubles R Marshall says rejection and I'm going to go get it not afraid to dive to the hardwood all six4 of her and now Arizona with the Trap forcing the turnover PUO trying to get away from Marshall good job by Marshall to get back and stop the break how about the job by Bigby as well she put her track shoes on sure did Kay Willam yeah so impressed by the way she played last weekend in the Arizona game 25 minutes in that double oot yeah so nice to have players like her coming in much needed three ball for Arizona and they cut the lead for USC to eight five points for playo and the pressure continues Watkins high hge from Bay oh and right through Big B Off the Bench being him something try and Skip down to Bay's Cunningham shot clocked to five quo into Bay oh but the travel minute and a half left first quarter seven turns already for USC as Watkins gets clipped from behind it's kind of a soccer move really was Hopkins long stride Banks it up good defense was there but that was a tough shot she finishes already 10 points I know what a great defender quo is but my goodness Juju Watkins is having her away yeah just looking every move the and one for Cunningham hand all freshman team member this year to the Pack 12 can't get the three-point play Bay knocked to the court this first quarter winds down J Williams now out on Watkins what call hand shack up high Blakeley steps off 7.8 left in the first Davis got away from Bay help D was there Arizona a chance and USC not going to let it happen that's the end of the first quarter an Arizona team that averages 70 points a game they shoot 44% from the floor coming into this one right now 20% USC's trying to match the defense that we talk about so often about with Arizona and they certainly have done just that me the stunning number is USC has turned it over eight times in the first quarter but Arizona has just turned that into three points y you're right not taking advantage of those opportunities you work so hard to make it happen and then you don't convert it see if they can turn it around here is Fay gets to start this quarter a little bigger she and Cunningham inside Martinez is out on the perimeter Cunningham ball fake puts it up much better execution taking it at R Marshall Cunningham has just continued to approve in the last two or three weeks we've seen that gives it up Marshall not going to get the shot off C do something with itez cunning am on the left side as Marshall SWS it out even on a national scale is just as Dynamic inside with the shop block there's no doubt about it as poo gets the right Baseline jumper to go and and there's a takeway double team up high three on one Cunningham drives it up good team again out on Watkins Padia had a Goen look Marshall second chance and she'll go to the line one of the areas that Ray Marshall has improved so much is her assist a turnover ratio you make great decisions and you're not giving it away as a big one for two for Marshall Williams has really struggled to score over the last two games just two points in the past two she needs to be an offensive Factor as does Skyla Jones pretty finish for Jones the Lefty her first point of the game and full court pressure and another turn from USC Dia burns with the play call and they'll give it to playo up high 12 turnovers already for the Trojans just four for Arizona defensive help trap the rotation has just been spectacular for a team that does not have a lot of that Williams said you step on my foot no whistle they play on they get the long rebound and just miss good see where Cunningham did not want to challenge nice job by poo the hustle from poo not get how she coaches this team it's the effort that she said she's so enjoying this group because they they've been through some adversity they've lost some players but the players that she has they are working so hard and she's loving the effort and what they've been doing Watkins with the spin move playo so USC just one point this quarter Alyssa Charleston you were in their huddle what did you hear yeah well Mary talked about the run that Arizona has gone on to catch up and in the Huddle lindsy gotle really focused on that press break and saying we need to move the ball without the dribble I don't want any random ball screens because that brings another Defender and Arizona really good at doubling off of those screens so use the Baseline after makes and spread it out so you can get the ball and then teammates don't leave your teammates hanging come back to the ball and the other thing was we're not boxing out right now and that's why Arizona has a few offensive rebounds all right thank you Alysa yeah a good point from the head coach no doubt back door cut unselfish working it around the extra pass Watkins left wing off the back of the iron another long rebound Marshall there Big B you can't give her that Big B Kayla Williams these folks Off the Bench for USC they just stay ready coming in it said just have that patience a little Head and Shoulder create the contact yeah that was something coach Barnes talked with us about barely Miss early and it's Arizona as that one rattles in over 3 minutes remaining behind the back fors couldn't finish the rebound play USC 20 points in the first quarter they have five in the second just an incredible difference Corb stays right with or Davis excuse me with martinez SE a lot of hard crashes so far in this tournament wow the outreached arm of Davis to the back of the head for Martinez good to see her back up as she landed really couldn't break the fall Cunningham left side finish it's beautiful using the left hand did all her work early she has 10 points Big B money's on [Applause] big make that three she's three for four out [Applause] there miss for the wild cats you see pushing the Marshall could not have been any more open she was in the end zone just like jumping up and down that expression on your face but the finger roll was good and finish before Arona chance to cut into the lead it maybe got tipped a bit and playo hobbling a bit going over and that's going to do it for this first half and that shooting percentage just not their typical but I do think that the the length and the presence of Marshall inside as well as Forbes and some of the help defense coming over really caused them some problems we're underway third quarter shot is up and it's off the mark for [Applause] Forbes Isis Bay gets the start this half Arizona going a little bigger again there's Martinez inside Cunningham help D coming over and she gets fouled challenge R Marshall see if he can get her into some foul trouble and make makeable shots yep absolutely she had 10 points last night in the win against Washington as first free throw gets both free throws she's been working on the free throws on the spin move and she clocks Blake Lee comes Juju Watkins the spin and you can see that right arm come around and just official review to see if they were going to elevate this or not Mary what' you find out so they're going to elevate that to an intentional foul unnecessary hard or excessive two season high for turnovers is 10 against Colorado a lot of people turn the ball over against Colorado yes they do and a lot of people turn the ball over against [Applause] Arizona B trying to get a little more space not want to challenge kcks it out to playo and that one's going to stay stay a play the shot clock R Marshall going to help him out thank you Ray Marshall just doing a little everything out of there got it R's like oh oh he's like hey you're taller than I am our officiating crew that's Kenneth Nash Benny Luna and mle [Applause] Murray go it sure was Marshall gets it the drop experience on the floor and the grat student transferred in from [Applause] Harvard brings a maturity [Applause] for boy these freshman for Arizona are special start three freshman misses the free throw but the long rebound baay keeps it alive another chance the experience the minutes that they have gotten this season it is building an incredible base for the wild cats for the future as playo steps up calm and cool ties this up once again Arizona has not LED in this game we say this for the past 5 years Adia Barnes has been begging PUO to please shoot more 14 shots in this game averaging nine a game point that is that's oh beautiful move got it back tipped out couldn't quite finish but she didn't stop on it Watkins is going to come in a career high for field goal attempts for PUO is 15 she has 14 so far in this game that's remarkable she's got 12 points and this time Marshall able to finish she worked hard through that basket she sure did nine points heading towards another double [Applause] double see switching Jones to get some room takes up with the left she uses her body so well she said but you can't touch this six points Skyler Jones the 13th start on the season the changes players lost over this season for Arizona they were now just six players at one [Applause] time first shot from Marshall won't go and wow Blakeley the afterburner Lays it up Good Marshall didn't know what was coming at herkins had the double team how about an n one for Marshall with some emotion can't get the three-point play [Applause] though Martinez has been quiet just four points Kayla Williams back in for USC Jones almost got that one to drop Adia is saying we are turning them over she was very adamant kind of hitting her clipboard we need to get layups push the ball up the floor a few short passes don't make it too complicated get it up the floor that's right Skyler Jones married in just that takes it in tries for the layup Williams a senior the lone senior on this USC team Big B Marshall one-on-one takes it right at Cunningham but short ni job by Cunningham trying to guard Ray Marshall in space that's a tough chore sure is Ray Marshall's deceptively quick Jones on the right side one in the body bomb but oh Watkins knocked to the floor between the legs rounding out what a pretty look can't get it to drop wild cats push blankley so fast oh just short USC comes down with it got Bigby in the corner she's out ahead of everybody there's Marshall up the middle gets it to go fors with her fourth assist on that one Jones on the left side just a little too far out the defense pushing her that [Applause] way weaving gets it inside to Davis and she gets fouled excuse me for Davis will fatigue start hitting the Wildcats PUO played 40 minutes last [Applause] night this is an Arizona team that has seen a lot of minutes in a lot of their games just incredible to play at this level the way they have with their defensive effort and a turnover by the Wildcats Martinez slow to get up Watkins trying to attack can't get the layup Blakeley tries to St oh the takeaway oh what a dish Juju Watkins Davis and USC regains the lead defense for USC now creating offense almost a steal there with a minute and a half left in the third Jones Skyler Jones are you a freshman not anymore and we know Juju Watkins is it she has 10 points hand check before they have weathered it she said this team has just bought in they've been battling first free throw is good she's been brilliant with her assist though yep y she's finding her teammates and that's exactly what Lindsay gotley wants her to do and she's been doing it well she's going to get double team sometimes triple teed and she's been able to find the open players with Kayla Williams on the floor USC unleashes a little full-court [Applause] pressure witness of Skyler Jones PUO behind the ark smes and Jones too aggressive that time the over the back call 16 points for USC this quarter 17 for Arizona now full court pressure continuing for USC wild cats break it layup I thought would have the layup inste skipped it across and that one misses for Jones little too unselfish on that one for playo quick on quick Kayla Williams with the bucket I love Kayla Williams I just love her attitude this year staying ready and boy the team has needed her down the stretch and she has delivered just really speaks to her character first shot attempt tonight first points of the game it's a 12-2 run over the last two and a half nothing but net Courtney Blakeley now with four but just two turnovers in the second half you talk about Improvement 16 first half turnovers just two in the second half yeah those are numbers that Lindsey gotle will look at and say okay I like the Improvement they got to the free throw line more as well as they're going to call a foul on Arizona on the screen Kayla Williams gets the start this quarter senior from La Marshall double team dishes it down and the kick out outside and it works beautiful basketball they leave Forbes they double down inside a little help rotation they kick it out great reaction to the basketball B saying I'm open for a moment and loses it instead you will see good rotation and help defense welli we through the impact of Kayla Williams is palpable this has not been easy and knock it off of Jones another turn Watkins and Forbes tag teaming up top Kayla Williams this is what she's looking at the big step through and the floater all defensive member last year honorable mention in the Pack 12 transferred in from UC Irvine a couple seasons ago started every game as you mentioned last year and has accepted a different role for this team Marshall finger roll won't go gets another [Applause] chance does Arizona have anything left in the tank the push by USC Lissa charlon you've got more on this defense from USC well it's exactly what Lindsay gotle wanted after the last timeout out you saw Juju Watkins completely take away Skyler Jones left hand she still tried to go that way switch up the other way and then turned it over and that's the first thing lindsy got Leaf said to Alyssa Charleston at half was we have to stop giving the other team the ball can't get the second Watkins with 14 points been so many games still hopes of making it and that is the question has Arizona done enough to show the committee that we belong in the NCA tournament I really don't think there's a question when they have done what they have in the strongest conference in the country we talked to coach gotley for USC and she said if Arizona doesn't win this one I believe they're a tournament team and just misses quo out running she's got Jones up ahead she can kick it up a notch gets her composure finishes with the left hand and on a game and now another takeaway and guess who quo finds Jones the defense right there with her was Forbes but the finish on the left side 14 for Jones which team will move on to the semi-finals R wants it now Watkins Juju Watkins has earned everything she's gotten tonight 14 points eight rebounds three assists when you play Arizona nothing comes easy Arizona knew they had to make it tough on her one for two from the line for Watkins Cunningham right at Marshall Marshall standing her ground yep without fouling she is one special defensive player Padilla just lurking over here she can get going from the perimeter 46% three-point shooter Watkins using the screen just short and the cats out running Williams with the layup that is just a perfect pass isn't it you run that in practice every day score without putting it on the [Applause] floor help D Marshall almost double [Applause] dribbled check out cable Williams back in youc using some clock ORS square up and stick it let me take some ice water out and put him in my veins orbs with eight points out of bolome California started at Cal went to Harvard who does that then comes back to USC playo 16 o Watkins got tripped up Jones good composure out to Williams sticks it Reb see that at Stamford five points for Jada Williams it's a three-point ball game these teams have been working hard Watkins just off to the right good box out by Bay batt's going to go against Davis the confidence that she's grown and built over this season and no doubt Arizona five of their last seven SC just one of seven does Arizona have another miracle in their back pocket this should be a big one we're under a minute left [Applause] left B hanging out up high trying to leave space on the interior and she was open for a second it's batted around Williams quick shot I didn't think she had really had to take it there was still eight on the shot clock USC three-point lead [Applause] 9sec differential Watkins weaves her way in lays it up good says let me take a dagger 14 fouls for USC but they've got a couple of timeouts and they've got the fivepoint lead they'll take a two or a three yep not a lot of time to try to figure it out Jones got away from the D B it around big rebound for Cayla Williams I mean for lindsy go you said there were so many unknowns coming into this season it was hard to know how was this team really going to do they have done very well and they got a lot more to go USC preseason picks six a year ago they were 11 and seven in conference play how quickly lindsy gotle had help this program just turn the corner into National PR possession game the pass poo the screen up high hits it three-point game Watkins knocked to the floor thought there was a moving screen 11 of 14 for [Music] Arizona oh look one on the inside oh the perfect play and KD was open for a long time in there couple of great plays on both ends yep eight points for her and William in the lane gets the jumper with six remaining M's going to do it USC fights off