LOS ANGELES — On Sunday, the No. 3 USC Trojans Women's Basketball squad cruised to a lopsided 118-40 win over the Utah State Aggies in their home opener. 

Though the numbers speak for themselves, there was plenty to take away from it, as the Trojans look to make history under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's in her sixth year at the helm. 

Yes, the reigning Naismith College Player of the Year is indeed back. In her first home opener since the 2024-25 season, Watkins left everything out on the floor. 

Watkins needed 27:15 minutes to drop a 32-point/16-rebound double-double with six assists and five steals to add to the already impressive number. 

This season, Watkins main point of emphasis has been letting the game come to her. Knowing her time at USC is nearing its end, the former Big Ten Player of the Year is not only reflecting on her collegiate career as a whole, but also focusing on staying present throughout the season. 

"What I try to pride myself on is staying patient," Watkins said during Sunday's postgame scrum. "When you have great players like Saniyah [Hall], Jazzy [Davidson], Kennedy [Smith], Sara [Okeke], it's really easy to open the floor more." 

Watkins made a good point on the great players around her. 

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Trojans have the most formidable 1-2-3 punch in all of women's college basketball. True freshman Saniyah Hall, rising sophomore Jazzy Davidson, and Watkins. 

Even with a short sample size, the Women of Troy's "Big Three" have shown the college world just how effective they can be on both sides of the floor. 

Hall has played like a seasoned veteran in her first two collegiate games. In her first game against the UNLV Rebels to kick off the season, the 6'1 guard scored 22 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor. 

On Sunday, she had her second consecutive 20-plus point game, scoring an even 20 on 9-of-16 shooting and totaling two blocks. She noted that her time playing for the USA Women's National Team in previous years has helped her stay up to speed in collegiate play. 

Davidson, who is coming off a freshman season that saw her win Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors for the 2025-26 season, has picked up right where she left off. 

She had 23 points in the season opener win against the Rebels on 10-of-11 shooting, and followed that up with a 12 point performance on 5-of-9 shooting in the home opener on Sunday. 

Her effectiveness mostly came from her willingness to pass the ball, as she racked up six assists — which tied Watkins' game total as well. 

No matter how you put it, the numbers that these three players rack up on a nightly basis are not something to take lightly, and coach Gottlieb believes that they are just the tip of the iceberg. 

"They're not one-dimensional; they're excellent passers, defenders, and playmakers," Gottleib said. "The idea is, if you're hunting for the right play, everyone's looks should be better."