LOS ANGELES – Southern Cal women’s basketball will enter the Sweet 16 without their star player, JuJu Watkins. It’s doubtful No. 1 seed USC will get much sympathy from their next opponent: the Kansas State Wildcats.
No. 5 seed Kansas State outlasted No. 4 Kentucky 80-79 in overtime Monday in a second-round game. By virtue of the last-gasp victory, the Wildcats will be making their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2002.
After losing Watkins to a season-ending injury in the first quarter, USC still powered its way to a 96-59 victory over No. 5 seed Mississippi State. Based on seeding and reputation, USC (30-3) could coast when the two teams play Saturday in Spokane, Washington. But overlooking Kansas State (28-7) could be perilous for the Trojans — especially with Watkins unable to play.
The Wildcats have experience, with three seniors and a graduate student in their starting lineup. And battle-tested might be an appropriate description after Kansas State prevailed in overtime against Kentucky.
“I think everybody just witnessed one of the great games in the tournament right now,’’ Kansas State coach Jeff Mittie said. “You go the last 10 minutes of the game, and there were just huge shots by both teams and different players.’’
The Wildcats, who finished tied for third in the Big 12, have a potent offense (79.5 points per game, 17th nationally) and a solid defense (58.6 points allowed per game, 55th nationally.) And at this point in the season, Kansas State was expected to be more formidable behind 6-foot-6 center Ayoka Lee.
In January, Lee set a single-game NCAA record for points when she scored 61 against Oklahoma. But the consensus preseason All-America missed more than a month leading up the women’s NCAA tournament because of foot injuries.
Can Ayoka Lee star for Kansas State in absence of Juju Watkins?
As a junior, Lee averaged 22 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks. Those numbers have dipped to 15.6 points and 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during her injury-marred season.
Returning from a long layoff raise doubts about whether Lee can regain her top form in time for the Trojans. But she’s shown some encouraging signs.
Returning to action in the first round of the tournament, Lee played 15 minutes against Fairfield. She posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds and helped lead Kansas State to an 85-41 victory.
Against Kentucky, Lee played 28 minutes and finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. She also had four fouls in a game where Kansas State had to look elsewhere for impact.
“They’ve been a resilient group,’’ Mittie said of his team. “I don’t think that you guys got to witness, when we have Lee, how good this team can be. She’s a factor at both ends of the floor. She offensively makes people pay attention.
“You don’t replace All-Americans, and we know that, but she gave us everything she could give us today through foul trouble.’’
Again, the question is, how much can Lee give against USC?
Meet Temira Poindexter, Kansas State’s long-range threat
With Lee having been saddled with foot injuries, the Wildcats have turned to players like Temira Poindexter, a senior forward who transferred to Kansas State after three years at Tulsa.
Poindexter helped rescue Kansas State against Kentucky with 24 points, all on 3-pointers. Meaning USC better keep a track Poindexter on the perimeter.
She is Kansas State’s third-leading scorer with 12.7 points per game and can do more than shoot. On Sunday, she also had six blocked shots.
Even more impressive, Poindexter started the game 0-for-5 from 3-point range before heating up. On Kentucky’s home floor in Lexington.
“We were prepared,’’ Poindexter said.
But sounds like her coach was unprepared for what happened after the game amid the excitement of the victory and Poindexter’s play.
“Her dad just about broke my ribs out there with a little hug,’’ Mittie said. “He’s a big man.’’