LOS ANGELES (AP) — If Southern California wants to win its first women’s national championship in 41 years, the Trojans will have to find a way to get it done without star guard JuJu Watkins. She was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of USC’s 96-59 win over Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Now the Trojans are headed to the Sweet 16. They have a deep and talented roster that will be called upon to contribute in Watkins’ absence. Three of USC’s freshmen scored in double figures against the Bulldogs.

WOMEN’S TOURNEY NOT EXPANDING

By The Associated Press

The women’s NCAA Tournament features 68 teams and there’s really no room for anymore to join. But if the men’s field was expanded as has been suggested, it is almost a foregone conclusion that the women would follow suit.

While it’s questionable whether the men’s tournament is ready for expansion, it seems clear that women’s March Madness is definitely not. The tournament isn’t ready from a competitive or a financial standpoint.

There have only been two first-round upsets on the men’s side and only one top-seeded women’s team has ever lost to a 16 seed. In this year’s women’s tourney, there was a near record number of first-round blowouts and noncompetitive games. Six teams scored over 100 points in the opening two days and there were a handful of 50-point games.

PLENTY OF TALENT IN ’25-26 CLASS

By The Associated Press

There almost certainly won’t be a $700 million deal for any player in the baseball’s next free agency class, nothing like the record contracts for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and four-time All-Star slugger Juan Soto the past two winters.

Still, plenty of talented players are going into their final seasons before potentially becoming free agents for the first time.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., five-tool player Kyle Tucker and starting pitchers Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen could all become available to other teams after this season. Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez could also be a first-time free agent.

WILSON HEADED TO NY GIANTS

By The Associated Press

Russell Wilson has agreed on a one-year contract with the New York Giants, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the signing hasn’t been finalized, said Wilson’s deal is worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed.

The Giants signed veteran Jameis Winston to a two-year contract last week and have the third pick in next month’s NFL draft.

The 36-year-old Wilson joins his fourth team in five years.