In several months, USC will join the Big Ten Conference. Writers in Iowa and other Big Ten states who would normally call it a day at 11 p.m. or midnight in the Central or Eastern time zones will soon stay up to watch USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington in Big Ten competitions.

One Iowa-based columnist is already keenly aware of the presence of JuJu Watkins at USC. Watkins will be a Big Ten athlete next season in women’s college basketball.

Mike Hlas of The Gazette — based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa — began a recent column with this opening line:

“Judea Skies Watkins — known as JuJu — might be the story of the year in women’s college basketball were it not for Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.”

Hlas noted that Clark is the only player in women’s college hoops who is averaging more points per game than Watkins. Anyone who follows women’s college basketball on a more-than-casual basis is aware that Watkins might very well take the baton from Clark next year as the sport’s leading scorer and superstar figure.

If you thought Watkins was just a Pac-12 or West Coast story, this little note from Iowa is a clear indication of Watkins’ nationwide fame and impact.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.