USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has been at the forefront of the surge in interest in women’s basketball, driven largely by her star player JuJu Watkins, who is listed as being 6 feet 2 inches tall. This interaction occurred amid a rise in anticipation for the upcoming season. USC will be featured on ESPN, FOX, FS1, and NBC numerous times before the Big Ten tournament. Gottlieb noted that this level of excitement and attention to the women’s game is a new but welcomed experience, as USC is now seen as having a star player who is attracting much attention.
Awareness and popularity for women’s college basketball have been growing across the country. UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who has produced many of the game’s brightest stars, confirms that it’s not only die-hard fans who are excited about the new season, but casual viewers are also showing interest. The increase in attention is backed by viewership numbers, with the NCAA Tournament setting records last season.
Two key players are seen as crucial to maintaining this interest level: Watkins from USC and Paige Bueckers from UConn. Watkins is looking to revive the Trojans, who haven’t been significant in her lifetime, while Bueckers, despite UConn’s rich legacy, is yet to win a national championship. Their play, storylines, and fame will be significant in attracting people to women’s hoops this season.
The players are competing at a time of significant change in women’s basketball. The NCAA was prompted to invest more in the women’s NCAA Tournament following an investigation that revealed glaring disparities between men’s and women’s basketball. ESPN also paid significant sums for the media rights to broadcast the event on account of the mounting attention.
The transformation in women’s basketball is also due to the recognition its players are getting outside of the sport. Watkins and Bueckers have partnered with major companies like Nike and Gatorade, which has increased their visibility. In addition to team successes, the individual stories and journeys of players like Watkins and Bueckers will be crucial for the ongoing popularity of the sport.
The future of women’s basketball appears bright, but coaches like Auriemma and Gottlieb are already looking ahead to ensure sustained interest. They believe that showcasing the talent and storylines of new players like Bueckers and Watkins will be key to keeping audiences engaged. They hope to provide exciting games that will make new viewers want to return, and look forward to seeing who will emerge as the next talent to push the sport forward.
