Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins looking to make a mark on a sports-packed Saturday

Two of the best teams in the country meet on Saturday.

No, we’re not talking about the College Football Playoff. Or the NBA. Or the NFL.

No. 4 UConn and No. 7 USC meets in a women’s basketball game that has “game of the year” potential stamped in bold. Headlining is Paige Buecker and JuJu Watkinsthe level of competition and offensive firepower has the makings of an all-timer.

It just happens to happen on one of the busiest days in the sports calendar.

While the game receives primetime billing at 8 p.m. ET on Fox, it will be played in the middle of a series of college football, NBA and NFL games. Notably, the game will directly compete with Ohio State’s no. 8 vs. Tennessee No. 9 for a spot in the CFP quarterfinals.

The dilemma is a familiar occurrence in women’s sports. While progress has been made in recent years with historic ratings across college basketball and the WNBA, top men’s sports often share competing airtime—and often with it, the largest share of the audience.

When asked what was the main driver behind the growth of women’s sports last season, Watkins immediately referenced the media exposure.

“We were in prime time,” says Watkins. “People got to see the talent and obviously great players like Angel (Reese) and Caitlin (Clark) and so many more added to that. So I think that was pretty much the difference for it.”

Bueckers echoed a similar sentiment. She knows that the level of play in women’s sports has always been high, but now more viewers are consuming it thanks to the investments.

“I think women’s sports have always been great,” Bueckers said in August. “I think now we are starting to get the coverage, the attention, the availability. You can see the investment in women’s sports, the return on investment is even greater. So for people to tune in, look, more people are talking about it. Obviously, the superstar names help – they get people to watch, tune in, and all the storylines help. There are many things that contribute to that, but I think just the accessibility and the attention and the respect is for sure.

In the season since Clark and Reese’s departures to the WNBA, women’s college basketball continues to be star-driven. Watkins and Bueckers are among the best of them, along with players like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson making headlines of their own with big plays and upset performances.

Entertaining and competitive play remains a core part of the identity of women’s college basketball this season, but having games against events like the CFP offers less of a chance to draw stronger crowds.

Perhaps there is no better matchup to break the mold than the two powerhouse programs facing off on Saturday night.

Coming from her record freshman year, Watkins is currently third in the nation in points scored (24.7) on 45.4% shooting while leading USC to a 10-1 start. Meanwhile, Bueckers is averaging 20.6 points on an efficient 58.4% shooting as UConn is also 10-1.

The competition between the two will reflect the game’s current talent, showcased by a likely no. 1 WNBA draft pick in the Bueckers while showing the future with Watkins in her sophomore season. The two players know that the talent in women’s college basketball has the power to continue to draw people, backed by increased exposure.

“It’s always been entertaining, but just to see the growth in the numbers, the data backs it up,” Bueckers says. “So just keep playing, keep working hard and (keep the) entertainment going.”

In the end, it’s all about the product on the field. Amidst a crowded slate on Saturday, the Bueckers and Watkins are poised to show the endurance of women’s sports.

As Watkins puts it, the piece always speaks for itself.

“The talent is definitely there and will continue to be there,” says Watkins. “(It’s about) getting eyes on it.”