Free throws take JuJu Watkins and USC women’s basketball to the next level

JuJu Watkins was making shots from every spot on the floor on Friday night against Stanford. She hit 14 of 26 field goals and 6 of 11 3-pointers. She was making it rain in the Bay Area. Crucially, though, a large percentage of her 51 points against Stanford came at the free throw line. She went 17 of 19 at the stripe.

We have noted for weeks the importance of JuJu getting to the foul line so that she can score more easily and get opposing teams in foul trouble:

“As for on-court adjustments, one thing we have seen the past few games is JuJu Watkins taking a lot of field goal attempts and not getting to the free throw line very much. Watkins, in her last two games, attempted 51 field goals and only six free throws. USC has to get Watkins in positions where she can draw fouls.”

When you realize that USC beat Stanford by nine points, JuJu’s 17 made free throws in 19 attempts were very significant. There’s more to say on this topic:

WE SAID THIS WEEKS AGO AGAINST UCLA

JUJU MAKES HER LATE-GAME FOUL SHOTS

ONE-THIRD OF HER 51 POINTS

REMINDER: JUJU GOT INTO FOUL TROUBLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER

USC TEAMMATES WEREN'T HITTING, WHICH MAGNIFIED THE NEED FOR EASY POINTS AT THE FOUL LINE

Story originally appeared on Trojans Wire