ROSEMONT, Ill. — Southern California star JuJu Watkins propelled the Trojans to a Big Ten regular-season title and a second consecutive Elite Eight appearance last season.

If the Trojans want to match that success this year, they'll need to do it without her.

The absence of Watkins, who's sidelined for the season while recovering from an ACL injury she suffered in the NCAA Tournament, has given way to UCLA becoming the lone conference powerhouse, with Maryland not far behind.

The Bruins advanced to the Final Four for the first time in program history after defeating the Trojans in the Big Ten tournament title game last season. They are the clear-cut favorite with senior center Lauren Betts, the Big Ten preseason player of the year.

A season without JuJu

The loss of Watkins is being fe

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