College basketball fans buzzed with excitement as the USC Trojans faced off against the UConn Huskies, making TV history with their highly anticipated matchup. This landmark game not only showcased elite talent but also captured the attention of a national audience eager for thrilling competition.
Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins captured the spotlight when they faced off in a historic matchup between USC and UConn. The highly anticipated game drew an impressive 2.33 million viewers on FOX, marking the second-most watched college basketball game in the network’s history. This thrilling clash showcased the immense popularity of both players, who were already considered the faces of women’s collegiate basketball.
The game, which ended with the Trojans narrowly defeating UConn 72-70, benefited from a strong lead-in from an NFL game that attracted over 15 million viewers. This connection to the NFL undoubtedly boosted the audience for the college matchup, as many fans tuned in for the subsequent game. Ratings peaked early in the contest, reaching 3.76 million viewers in the first quarter, before settling into a strong viewership throughout the remainder of the game.
Both Bueckers and Watkins entered the season as co-favorites for the National Player of the Year award, adding further intrigue to their showdown. Watkins led all scorers with 25 points, demonstrating her offensive prowess, while Bueckers contributed 22 points despite struggling with her shooting accuracy. Their performances underscored the high level of talent present in women’s college basketball and the growing interest from fans.
College Basketball Fans React to USC-UConn Game Making TV History
College basketball fans were apparently entertained by how the USC-UConn game went, as evidenced by the huge amount of people who caught it on TV. These reactions can be seen in a post shared by Fox Sports PR on X.
USC’s narrow 72-70 victory over UConn scored 2,227,000 viewers on FOX 🏀
– Second most-watched WCBB game ever on FOX
– Most-watched WCBB game on any net this season
– Peaked at 3,764,000 viewers from 8 to 8:15 PM ET pic.twitter.com/BGD0vWmuW3— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) December 24, 2024
“we want more of these matchups on network TV pls!!! no more flosports!!” not a man tweeted.
“Awesome. Please play more WCBB and WNBA on FOX,” cal suggested.
“More viewers than any UCLA football game all year!” Carolina Trojan reacted.
“Narrow win??? How about upset win. UConn was ranked higher,” SMcBride shared”
“@alfcorriette Hold up. I know it’s Christmas Eve (merry Xmas btdubs) but PR team? For the first time y’all are dramatically underselling this. Hold on. Let me cook for a sec while shopping …” mcbc asked.
“second most? what is the first?” PJ Arcee wondered.
“Surprising considering the utterly sht coverage 4 college athletics that’s taking place across California makes a person want to throw away their money on @Lakers big 10 should refund L.A. market back 2 @Pac12Network. Would rather Boycott than watch that league @NBCSportsPR,” East Los Buddy added.
The significant viewership numbers reflected a broader trend in women’s sports, as networks continued to invest heavily in coverage. ESPN planned to air a record number of games, while FOX also aimed to highlight emerging stars like Watkins and Bueckers. This surge in interest indicated that the sport was on the verge of a breakthrough.
The matchup between the Trojans and Huskies served as a landmark moment for women’s college basketball. The impressive viewing figures were a testament to the star power of Bueckers and Watkins, signaling a promising future for the sport as it gained traction among fans and media alike.
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