USC Checks Every Box, And Every Move This Off-season Was Intentional

This USC team feels different. Not just because of who’s on the roster, but because of how the pieces actually fit together. When you look at what Lindsay Gottlieb did this offseason, it’s clear this wasn’t rushed. This was intentional. But to really understand why this offseason feels different, you have to look at what USC was dealing with before last year’s portal even got settled and the difference between this off season and last year’s off season. Because Last year’s off season…...well…... there was a lot happening at once.

Once JuJu Watkins went down, everything shifted. Roles changed. Rotations changed. The identity of the team changed in real time. That alone was a major disruption for USC. Then Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel decided to leave, and that added another layer to an already difficult offseason.

But I don’t look at those departures like some big dramatic red flag, even though a lot of folks treated it that way. To me, it looked more like two players making decisions that made sense for their own lives, their own development, and their own future. Avery Howell, in my opinion, wanted a chance to lead. She wanted to be in a situation where she could be a first or second option, and she also wanted to be closer to home. Kayleigh Heckel made the decision that fit her own path too. Coming from the East Coast to the West Coast is a big move, especially without family close by.

And that’s why fit matters on both sides. Because if a player wants more, and the team is asking that player to accept a specific role, then the real question becomes: can that player be truly confident, comfortable, and happy doing what the team needs them to do? That’s why roster construction at this level isn’t just about talent. It’s about alignment.

Last offseason was different. USC wasn’t just trying to replace a few missing pieces. They were trying to build a whole new puzzle. JuJu Watkins going down changed the identity of the team. Then the departures added another layer. So, the coaching staff wasn’t just filling spots, they were trying to figure out what USC was supposed to look like next.

And in the portal era, that is not easy. The window moves fast. Coaches have limited time to evaluate film, build relationships, make a push, and secure commitments before another program does. And with NIL and agents becoming bigger factors, it’s fair to say there were a lot more voices helping direct traffic in the portal. So last year wasn’t about just collecting talent. It was about responding quickly while the picture was still changing.

Because that’s the part people miss. USC wasn’t just asking, “Who do we need from the portal?” They were also trying to answer, “Who are we going to be next season?” And all of that was happening in real time.

And when you go back and really look at this past season’s team, I still think the talent was there. That was never the issue. But talent by itself doesn’t always equal connectivity. At times, USC looked like a team still trying to figure out roles, rhythm, and confidence. Some players didn’t always look comfortable in what they were being asked to do, and in my opinion, that showed up in the flow of the offense and the consistency of the team.

The talent was there. The confidence was just hit or miss, and because of that, some really good players, especially some of the transfers that came in, didn’t always look as comfortable or as impactful as maybe the coaches, the team, the fans, or even the players themselves expected to be.

But this year’s offseason feels different. Last year, USC had to move fast. This year, they got to move with purpose. When you look at this roster now, it’s clear what the priority was: fit. They needed players who could balance out what was already on the team and address what the gaps/deficiencies were, from this past season, defensively and offensively. And when you look at the additions, that’s exactly what they did.

Ryann Bennett brings stability to the backcourt, but defensively, she also brings something USC wanted. She’s a disruptor. She can guard on the ball. She has great hands. She can pressure, bother ball-handlers, and create problems without needing the offense to run through her. That matters because USC didn’t just need another guard. They needed a guard who could fit, defend, connect possessions, and bring energy without forcing the game. That’s Ryann Bennett.

Pania Davis is exactly what USC needed inside. Size. Athleticism. Rim protection. Defensive disruption. USC needed an athletic big who could protect the paint, move her feet, run the floor, and bring a different level of physical presence inside. Pania gives them that. She’s not just a big body. She’s a defensive piece. She can alter shots, protect the rim, run and space the floor and give USC the kind of interior presence they were missing. And most importantly, she doesn’t need touches to impact the game. That’s what makes her such an important fit.

With JuJu Watkins returning, and with the influx of talent USC has coming in, the biggest difference with this team is that a lot of these players already have some form of connection. This isn’t just a group of strangers being thrown together in November. Jazzy Davidson has played with Saniyah Hall. Kennedy Smith has played with both Ryann Bennett and JuJu Watkins. JuJu has also been tutoring, helping, and mentoring Jazzy. Even while recovering, JuJu has still been active with the team, sitting on the sidelines, watching where players like to get the ball, studying how they move, watching film, and staying connected to the group.

That matters. Sitaya Fagan has been around the program since January, which matters too. She’s been able to practice, watch film, learn the system, hang out with the team, and build chemistry off the court. And that off-court chemistry is really important in today’s basketball landscape. Just recently, Sitaya Fagan and Sarah Okeke also had a chance to play together in the USA vs. International game at the Nike Hoop Summit. So even with those two, there is already some familiarity there. They’re not walking into USC as complete strangers trying to figure each other out from scratch.

So when you look at this roster, USC isn’t starting from zero. There are already relationships, familiarity, and connection built into the group. That doesn’t mean everything will be perfect right away, but by the time November comes around, I think this team has a real chance to look more connected and more cohesive than some of the teams we’ve seen in the past and some of the other teams with talented rosters across the NCAA WBB landscape. This version of USC feels different. Not just deeper. Not just talented. More connected.

Last season showed where the gaps were. This offseason addressed them. USC has the talent. They have the chemistry. Now it’s on Lindsay Gottlieb and this staff to bring it all together, to define roles, build trust, and turn all of that into something that actually works on the court. Because on paper, USC checks every box., talent, fit, defense, chemistry, size, athleticism, and star power. But paper doesn’t win games. Execution does. And if this group becomes as connected on the court as it already looks on paper USC won’t just be talented. USC will be dangerous.