Jazzy Davidson Has Not Forgotten South Carolina’s 40-Point Rout as USC Prepares for November Rematch

Jazzy Davidson has a clear memory of what happened the last time USC faced South Carolina, and the freshman standout is eager for another opportunity against Dawn Staley’s team. The Trojans suffered a crushing 101-61 defeat in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, ending their season with a 40-point loss. Several months later, that result remains on Davidson’s mind.

Despite leading USC with 16 points in the tournament defeat, Davidson could do little to prevent the Gamecocks from taking control of the contest. The experience has clearly stayed with her, particularly as the two programs prepare to meet again in the upcoming season.

Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Davidson admitted that the defeat has remained a regular thought since the final buzzer.

“I would be lying if I said I haven’t been thinking about that game every day since we lost,” Davidson said, as shared by ESPNW on Instagram.

She also expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to face South Carolina again, acknowledging the quality of its players and coaching staff.

“I’m just very excited to get out on the court with our team. And again, they’re an amazing team, great coach, obviously. And so it’s always fun to get to play against really high-level talent and coaching and kind of see where we stack up against that.”

Davidson will not have to wait long for another meeting. USC and South Carolina are scheduled to face each other on Sunday, November 15, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The non-conference contest is scheduled to tip off at 1:00 p.m. ET.

South Carolina Enters the Season as the Team to Beat

The Gamecocks will approach the new campaign with considerable expectations after finishing as national runners-up last season. South Carolina fell to UCLA in the national championship game, but its performance throughout the season was enough to earn widespread recognition in the preseason rankings.

Dawn Staley’s team has been ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press preseason poll and CBS Sports Power Rankings. South Carolina received 23 of 31 first-place votes in the AP poll, placing it ahead of second-ranked UConn.

USC, meanwhile, enters the season at No. 3, giving the November meeting additional significance. The Trojans will have an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the strongest programs in women’s college basketball.

Davidson could again play a central role in that challenge. During her freshman campaign, the five-star guard averaged 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game.

Her statistical contributions were particularly remarkable because she led USC in every major statistical category. She was also the only Division I player in the country, across both men’s and women’s basketball, to lead her team in all five categories.

Much of that responsibility came after USC lost star guard JuJu Watkins to an ACL injury. Watkins suffered the injury on March 24, 2025, during the second round of the NCAA Tournament, leaving Davidson with a greater responsibility when she arrived in Los Angeles.

Now, the situation has changed considerably.

JuJu Watkins’ Return Could Change Everything for USC

Watkins made her highly anticipated return on October 25, 2026, in an exhibition matchup against the California Golden Bears. Her availability gives USC another established offensive weapon and should reduce some of the pressure Davidson experienced during her first season.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb recently discussed how the circumstances surrounding Davidson’s freshman year differed from what the young guard initially expected when she committed to USC.

According to Gottlieb, Davidson had anticipated sharing the court with Watkins and other experienced players. However, Watkins’ injury forced the freshman to assume a much larger role than originally planned.

“I think she came to USC expecting to play with JuJu and others,” Gottlieb said during preseason media availability. “But with unforeseen circumstances, it was different. She took on that experience for everything that it could give her. It helped her grow her game. It helped her grow in experience.”

Gottlieb made it clear that Davidson will remain an essential part of the team’s plans, although she will have more support this season.

“She will still do everything for us. It’s not just different; maybe not the same burden. But she is a multitalented, versatile player. We will ask her to do those things, just in a way where she gets to play alongside some other amazing players,” the USC coach explained.

The chemistry between Watkins and Davidson has also given Gottlieb reasons for optimism. Having both players available creates an opportunity for USC to develop a more balanced offense, with each star capable of creating opportunities for the other.

“Watching them in practice, I’m like, ‘Oh, this’ll be nice when we have them both.’ Their chemistry is incredible. They’re obviously both such high-talented players that make those around them better,” Gottlieb added.

Their exhibition performance against California offered an early indication of what USC could achieve with the two stars sharing the court. Watkins and Davidson each scored 18 points, while Davidson also recorded seven assists.

Those numbers provide an encouraging starting point for the Trojans, particularly as they prepare for a demanding schedule.

Before the South Carolina rematch, USC must navigate three regular-season contests against UNLV, Utah State and Charleston. Those games will give Watkins and Davidson additional opportunities to strengthen their partnership and establish consistency within the team.

By the time November 15 arrives, USC could be a considerably different team from the one South Carolina defeated by 40 points in March.

Davidson has already made it clear that she remembers that night. With Watkins back and a stronger supporting cast around her, the sophomore guard will have another opportunity to challenge the Gamecocks and demonstrate how much USC has improved since their previous meeting.