Clemson, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019, is an No. 8 seed facing No. 9 Southern Cal.
The game took place in Columbia, South Carolina, an unusual location given the proximity to Clemson.
JuJu Watkins of USC is sitting out the entire season to focus on recovering from a torn ACL.
Clemson coach Shawn Poppie is in his second year with the Tigers, marking his third March Madness appearance.
Southern Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb prepared a presentation on basketball analytics for her son's school during the long flight to South Carolina.
The Clemson Tigers (21-11) and Southern Cal Trojans (17-13) met in Columbia for their first-round matchup. Clemson, under coach Shawn Poppie, aimed to leverage their tournament return into a deep run. Southern Cal, without JuJu Watkins, looked to Jazzy Davidson to lead their offensive efforts.
The decision to host the game in Columbia raised eyebrows since South Carolina is geographically close to Clemson. The relatively short trip for Clemson contrasted sharply with Southern Cal's 2,400-mile flight. Despite the travel differences, both teams prepared for an energetic crowd, with Clemson fans expected to be present.
Clemson entered the tournament after a loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals but with regular-season wins against Duke and Notre Dame. Southern Cal navigated the season without JuJu Watkins, relying on Jazzy Davidson's leadership. The absence of Watkins significantly impacted USC's dynamics, placing greater emphasis on other players to step up.
Both teams anticipated a lively atmosphere. Clemson nearly sold out their ticket allotment, expecting strong support. Southern Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged the respect for the South Carolina program and its fan base, anticipating a good crowd regardless of whom they support.
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College Basketball Fans: Those who follow women's college basketball and March Madness will find this game particularly interesting.
Clemson and Southern Cal Supporters: Fans of these teams will be directly impacted by the outcome of the game.
Q: Why was the game held in Columbia?
The NCAA Tournament's structure often leads to unusual matchups and locations, with top 16 seeds hosting the first two rounds.
Q: Is JuJu Watkins playing for Southern Cal?
No, JuJu Watkins announced in September that she would sit out the entire season to focus on recovering from a torn ACL.
Clemson and Southern Cal faced off in an intriguing first-round matchup in the NCAA Women's Tournament.
The game's location in Columbia, South Carolina, added an element of regional rivalry.
JuJu Watkins' absence significantly impacted Southern Cal's team dynamics.
Both teams anticipated a lively atmosphere with strong fan support.
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