The highly anticipated women’s college basketball season kicked off on Monday, spotlighted by two thrilling top-25 matchups at Aflac’s Oui-Play event in the historic city of Paris. In a nail-biting contest, No. 3 ranked USC narrowly escaped an upset at the hands of No. 20 Ole Miss, clinching a 68-66 victory thanks to a pair of clutch free throws from Kiki Iriafen. Meanwhile, No. 5 UCLA showcased their strength by defeating No. 17 Louisville 66-59, driven by an impressive double-double performance from standout Lauren Betts.
Here’s an in-depth look at the insights gained from the most exciting matchups of opening day:
USC’s Kennedy Smith ready for big stage
This season’s spotlight shines on USC’s promising freshman, Kennedy Smith, known for her dynamic playstyle. As the No. 6 player in her class, Smith’s role is pivotal for the Trojans. She made a significant impact in the victory over Ole Miss, logging an impressive 37 minutes on the court, a testament to her stamina and skill. Smith finished the game with a solid stat line of 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a crucial block. Standing tall at 6-foot-1, this big guard demonstrated her physical strength on both ends of the court. Rather than struggling with the physicality typical of college basketball, Smith thrives, driving hard to the basket and finishing strong, while aggressively battling for rebounds against larger opponents.
While the Trojans will certainly depend on the standout capabilities of JuJu Watkins and the seasoned expertise of graduate transfers Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has displayed considerable faith in Smith by granting her significant playing time during a tightly contested match.
USC has a new freshman star in Kennedy Smith (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Defense will be a calling card for Ole Miss
Under the strategic leadership of Yolett McPhee-McCuin, the Ole Miss Rebels showcased a tenacious defensive style that has become synonymous with her coaching philosophy. In their nearly upended contest against USC, the Rebels demonstrated their defensive prowess, leveraging their remarkable length and athleticism to create disruptive turnovers. This defensive intensity forced USC into an astounding 26 turnovers, eventually fueling a spirited comeback after trailing by as many as 15 points. The Rebels displayed a cohesive defensive unit, with six different players stepping up to contribute multiple steals.
Despite struggling offensively, managing to shoot a mere 29.7% from the field and 30.4% from three-point territory, Ole Miss kept the pressure on their opponents, illustrating that elite defense can keep a team competitive even during off nights offensively.
Lauren Betts dominates for UCLA
Although the season is merely a day old, Lauren Betts has already established herself as a contender for National Player of the Year. The junior forward led UCLA’s charge with a remarkable performance, netting 18 points, collecting 13 rebounds, dishing out five assists, blocking four shots, and recording a steal. The efficiency displayed by Betts stood out, as she hit an impressive 75% of her shot attempts, furthering her reputation as a key offensive weapon. Last season, she finished fourth nationally in shooting percentage, successfully converting 64.3% of her attempts. Against Ole Miss, Betts showcased her refined footwork and agility, deftly spinning between defenders and finishing at the rim with either hand.
Even when not directly scoring, Betts invigorates the UCLA offense by creating space for her teammates or locating open shooters. Her ability to assist was on display as well, with teammate Timea Gardiner knocking down five 3-pointers, three of which came off Betts’ assists.
Youngsters shine for Louisville
Louisville’s head coach Jeff Walz welcomed a trio of five-star recruits this season, each showcasing their potential in the loss against UCLA. Leading the Cardinals in scoring, guard Tajianna Roberts made her presence felt with 21 points, including sinking four 3-pointers. Both Roberts and fellow freshman Mackenly Randolph earned starting positions in their debut. Despite challenges at the scoring end, the highly-touted Imari Berry and Randolph, each marked by impressive high school careers—Berry averaging 23.8 points per game as a senior and Randolph contributing an average of 16.9 points along with 10.1 rebounds—demonstrated their capabilities by creating good opportunities during the game. The future looks bright for Louisville with this talented freshman class paving the way for growth and development.
**Interview with Basketball Analyst Jamie Morgan on USC-Ole Miss and UCLA-Louisville Matchups in Paris**
**Editor:** Welcome, Jamie! It was an exciting opening day for women’s college basketball in Paris. Can you share your thoughts on the thrilling matchups between USC-Ole Miss and UCLA-Louisville?
**Jamie Morgan:** Thank you! It was an incredible day for women’s college basketball. USC’s narrow victory over Ole Miss really showcased the competitive nature of the sport. Kiki Iriafen’s clutch free throws in the final moments were crucial, and it speaks volumes about her poise under pressure.
**Editor:** Absolutely! Kennedy Smith, the freshman from USC, had a standout performance. How do you see her progressing this season?
**Jamie Morgan:** Kennedy Smith is definitely a player to watch. Logging 37 minutes in such a high-stakes game shows that Coach Gottlieb trusts her, which is essential for a freshman. Her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, along with her physicality, suggests she can be a cornerstone of the Trojans’ lineup this season.
**Editor:** On the other hand, Ole Miss displayed remarkable defensive tenacity. What does that say about their strategy under Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin?
**Jamie Morgan:** Ole Miss is known for its defensive intensity, and they really brought that to the court. Forcing 26 turnovers against a talented USC team is no small feat. It highlights McPhee-McCuin’s commitment to defense as the backbone of their game plan. Even though their shooting wasn’t great, their defensive efforts kept them in the contest.
**Editor:** Right, and then looking at UCLA, Lauren Betts had an impressive performance as well. Can you elaborate on her impact?
**Jamie Morgan:** Lauren Betts certainly made a strong statement in the opener. With her incredible double-double performance, she showed that she can be a dominant force both in the paint and on the boards. If she continues this level of play, she could very well be in the running for National Player of the Year—a title she clearly aspires to.
**Editor:** It’s clear that the season is starting off with a bang! What do these matchups tell us about the overall competitiveness of women’s college basketball this year?
**Jamie Morgan:** These games underscore how deep and competitive the women’s game has become. With programs like USC, Ole Miss, and UCLA showcasing their talents on an international stage, fans are in for a treat this season. It’s exciting to see young stars emerging and established players stepping up, which bodes well for the future of women’s college basketball.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jamie, for your insights! It sounds like we’re in for an exhilarating season ahead.
**Jamie Morgan:** Thanks for having me! I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
