Women’s basketball watch guide: UCLA vs. USC is the must-watch rematch between JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts

It’s not an elimination game where the season comes to an end for the loser, but March will begin with a bang on Saturday night when No. 2 UCLA hosts No. 4 USC at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

It’s the regular season finale for both teams, both of whom appeared on the 1-line in the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s latest top 16 seed reveal on Thursday evening. It’s a rematch from a game played on Feb. 13 at USC’s Galen Center, where the Trojans handed their rival their first loss of the season. Now, the Bruins are aiming to get that lick back.

But much more than simply revenge and bragging rights are stake. These two programs based in Los Angeles are two of the best in women’s college basketball this season and they’re led by perhaps the top two players in the country.

So, let’s begin there. The National Player of the Year race seems to be coming down to USC’s JuJu Watkins and UCLA’s Lauren Betts. Others will be considered and might receive votes, like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, but most online sportsbooks are projecting Watkins and Betts as the favorites.

The case for Betts boils down to this: She’s the best player on the best team in the country. UCLA started the year 23-0 and is projected to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Betts is a major reason why. The 6-foot-7 center averages 20 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game this season. Only two other players in the country average at least 20 points and nine boards per game this year – South Dakota’s Grace Larkins and Vanderbilt’s Khamil Pierre – but neither swat away shots or shoot as sharply from the floor as Betts’ shooting percentage of 62.9. Betts is also fourth in PER with a mark of 40.6.

Then there’s Watkins, who wows with her smooth handle, shot-making ability and swagger. She’s fourth in the nation in scoring this season with 24.2 points per game, and also averages 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals and two blocks per game – doing a little bit of everything for the Trojans at a high level. Larkins is the only other player in the country this season who posts at least 20 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. As a brief aside, Larkins isn’t being discussed for Player of the Year because she plays for an 8-18 South Dakota team, but indeed, her numbers are impressive.

Back to Watkins – she’s fifth in win shares and has helped the Trojans notch wins over the likes of UCLA and UConn. Meanwhile, Betts’ Bruins have knocked off South Carolina and Louisville.

An impressive performance by Betts on Saturday night, coupled with a Bruins’ victory could convince voters to put her ahead of Watkins on Player of the Year ballots.

Also at-stake is the Big Ten title. In their first season in the league, these two west coast newcomers stand at the top with 16-1 marks in league play. USC’s lone loss to a Big Ten school so far was a defeat at Iowa on the day the Hawkeyes retired Caitlin Clark’s jersey. The winner of this game gets to claim not only the Big Ten regular season title outright, but also the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament. And for the NCAA Tournament, the winner likely cements their status as a No. 1 seed.

It’s the latest chapter in this rivalry that you won’t want to miss.

Here’s what else is worth watching this weekend:

Game that could have an impact on NCAA Tournament seeding: No. 25 Louisville at No. 3 Notre Dame

Sunday, 12 p.m. ET – ESPN

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The Fighting Irish have inexplicably lost two games in a row. After falling in double overtime in an epic game at N.C. State on Sunday, Notre Dame was still slated as a No. 1 seed in the top 16 reveal on Thursday night. But then Hidalgo, Miles and Co. were upset at home later that evening by Florida State. The ACC regular season title seems to have slipped from the Irish’s grasp, and a spot on the 1-line could as well.

Louisville is no pushover. They handed Duke its lone home loss of the season just a week ago and have played well in the ACC slate as Jeff Walz has figured out his young group.

Awesome mid-major clash that deserves your attention: Richmond at Saint Joseph’s

Saturday, 2 p.m. ET – ESPN+

Amber Searls-Imagn Images

ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme currently has Richmond winning the at-large bid for the A-10, while St. Joe’s and George Mason are left on the wrong side of the bubble. A win over Richmond would give St. Joe’s its third Quad 2 win of the season, which might be a good enough of a resume booster to put it on the right side of the bubble. Richmond won the first matchup between these two teams, 59-51.

Must-watch player against an interesting opponent: No. 12 Ohio State at No. 19 Maryland

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET – FOX

Photo by John Todd/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

After battling injuries earlier this season, Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers has regained her form as one of the most talented guards in the nation. On Thursday night, she scored 21 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter to help the Terps notch a road win at Indiana by double figures. She’s one of just four players in the country this season averaging 14 points, four assists and four rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point land. Sunday marks her Senior Day and probably the last time she’ll play in College Park.

Sickos Guilty Pleasure Game of the Week: Virginia at No. 8 North Carolina

Sunday, 2 p.m. ET – The CW

Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

Virginia has underperformed expectations this season and will miss the NCAA Tournament for the seventh year in a row, but sophomore guard Kymora Johnson is worth watching. She averages 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. In the Cavaliers’ last meeting with the Tar Heels, Johnson torched them for 25 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep.

After losing to Duke, can UNC bounce back and get a win on senior day to boost its chances of getting a double-bye in the ACC Tournament? Without Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly – whose playing statuses remain up in the air – it could be difficult.

Also watch…

Penn at Harvard: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET – ESPN+

No. 15 Kentucky at No. 6 South Carolina: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET – ESPN

No. 16 Duke at No. 24 Florida State: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET – ACC Network

No. 10 TCU at No. 17 Baylor: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET – FS1