Two of the best teams in the country face off on Saturday.
No, we’re not talking about the College Football Playoff. Or the NBA. Or the NFL.
No. 4 UConn and No. 7 USC meet in a women’s basketball game whose “game of the year” potential is marked in bold letters. Headlined by Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkinsthe level of competition and offensive firepower have the makings of a record.
It just so happens to be taking place on one of the busiest days in the sporting calendar.
While the game airs in prime time at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, it is played in the middle of a series of college football, NBA and NFL games. In particular, the match will directly pit No. 8 Ohio State against No. 9 Tennessee for a place in the CFP quarterfinals.
This dilemma is common in women’s sports. Although progress has been made in recent years with historic viewership in college basketball and the WNBA, high-profile men’s sports frequently share competitive airtime – and often with them, the largest share of the audience.
When asked what the biggest driver of growth in women’s sports was last season, Watkins immediately referenced media exposure.
“We were in prime time,” says Watkins. “People got to see the talent and of course great players like Angel (Reese) and Caitlin (Clark) and many more. So, I think that was about the difference.
Bueckers echoed a similar sentiment. She knows that the level of participation in women’s sport has always been high, but that now, thanks to the investments made, more and more viewers are consuming it.
“I think women’s sports have always been great,” Bueckers said in August. “I think now we’re starting to get more media coverage, attention and accessibility. You can see the investment in women’s sports, the return on investment is even greater. So to get people tuning in, watching, more people talking about it. Obviously superstar names are useful: they get people to watch, to tune in, and all the storylines are useful. A lot of things contribute to that, but I just think of simple accessibility, care and respect, of course.
In the season since Clark and Reese left for the WNBA, women’s college basketball continues to be led by stars. Watkins and Bueckers are among the best of them, alongside players such as Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson making headlines with big matches and upset performances.
Entertaining and competitive play is still a vital part of women’s college basketball’s identity this season, but pitting games against events like the CFP offers less chance of attracting a stronger audience.
There may be no better matchup to break the mold than the two powerhouse programs facing off Saturday night.
I’m leaving her first record year, Watkins currently ranks third in the nation in points scored (24.7) on 45.4% shooting while leading USC to a 10-1 start. Meanwhile, Bueckers is averaging 20.6 points on 58.4 efficient shooting, with UConn also sitting at 10-1.
The competition between the two will reflect the game’s current talent, highlighted by a likely No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick in Bueckers, while also showing the future with Watkins in her second season. Both players know that talent in women’s college basketball has the power to continue to attract people, through increased visibility.
“It’s always been entertaining, but just seeing the growth in the numbers, the data backs it up,” Bueckers says. “So keep playing, keep working hard and (keep) the fun going.”
Ultimately, it all comes down to the product on the ground. Amid a crowded roster Saturday, Bueckers and Watkins are ready to showcase the longevity of women’s sports.
As Watkins says, the play always speaks for itself.
“The talent is definitely there and will continue to be,” Watkins says. “(It’s about) taking a look at it.”