JuJu Watkins addresses injury concerns after USCs March Madness opener

JuJu Watkins addressed her injury concerns following USC’s first game of March Madness.The Los Angeles-born star appeared to suffer multiple injuries during No.1 seed USC’s 71-25 win over No.

16 UNC Greensboro to open the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.At one point in the second quarter, Watkins fell on her left wrist and later rolled her ankle in the third, limping around.The series of injuries raised concerns, but she brushed them off.“You know it’s end of the season, body’s a little banged up.But on to the next,” Watkins said before adding, regarding her status, “I’m all right.

Don’t worry.’’Watkins winced and limped on her rolled ankle but eventually made a return to the floor and hit a 3-pointer on the same possession where she appeared to injure herself.UNC Greensboro left her wide open in the corner.Watkins then exited the game and limped to the locker room for a short visit.

USC’s head coach Lindsay Gottlieb addressed the decision to keep Watkins in the game despite the injuries.“I trust her, I listen to her.I trust our trainers and I say, ‘You good?'” Gottlieb said.

“When she says she’s good, I’m probably not going to shut her down.”Watkins ended the game with 28 minutes played, tying her second lowest of the season, and she logged 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the blowout victory.USC and Watkins will face No.9 Mississippi State at 10 p.m.

on Monday evening.Mississippi State defeated California, 59-46, on Saturday....