USC Eyes Big Ten Tournament After Regular Season Triumph

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins, right, shoots as UCLA forward Janiah Barker, left, and guard Elina Aarnisalo defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 1,

Southern California's women's basketball team is gearing up for the Big Ten tournament following their first regular season conference championship in 31 years. The Trojans, ranked second nationally, are well aware of the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming tournament.

Coach Lindsay Gottlieb emphasized the tough competition awaiting them, with three games in three days against high-caliber teams, all of which are NCAA Tournament quality. The Trojans are coming off a significant victory over rival UCLA, securing the regular season crown and hoping to maintain their momentum.

With their first game scheduled for Friday against the winner of the Oregon-Indiana matchup, USC is focused on maintaining their peak performance during the tournament.

Other Conference Tournaments and NCAA Tournament Implications

Teams across major conferences vying for top seeds in NCAA Tournament.

USC women's basketball team won first conference championship in 31 years.

Columbia players achieve rare back-to-back triple-doubles.

Across other major conferences, teams are vying for top seeds and crucial wins to solidify their spots in the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina secured the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament, while N.C. State and Notre Dame lead the ACC standings. TCU clinched the Big 12 crown and the top seed in their tournament.

For teams on the bubble, this weekend's conference tournaments present a final opportunity to bolster their resumes with quality wins.

Rare Triple-Double Feat at Columbia

Columbia players Kitty Henderson and Cecilia Collins achieved a rare feat by recording triple-doubles in consecutive games. Henderson's performance against Brown was followed by Collins' impressive display against Yale, marking only the second time in history that two players from the same school achieved this feat.

Columbia has a chance to make history if another player accomplishes a triple-double in their upcoming game against Cornell, potentially securing their first outright Ivy League championship.

NCAA NET Rankings Update

The latest NCAA NET rankings saw UConn maintaining the top spot, with South Carolina, Texas, Notre Dame, and UCLA rounding out the top five. Southern California, ranked sixth, continues to be a strong contender in the rankings.

As teams gear up for the NCAA Tournament, the NET rankings serve as a crucial tool for the selection committee in determining the bracket.