Hoops analyst claims JuJu Watkins gets “real favorable whistle” after reviewing impressive performance vs Paige Bueckers' UConn

Robin Lundberg went through JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers' outings in the Saturday's game between USC Trojans and UConn Huskies at the XL Center. The analyst praised Watkins for her impact, focus and playmaking in the first half of the contest. Nevertheless, Lundberg also claimed that Watkins is also benefitting off favorable whistles this season.

The comments came when the analyst was going through Watkins' highlights from the contest in the latest video on his YouTube channel:

"One thing I did notice in the game is Juju gets a real favorable whistle," Robin Lundberg said (1:40). "That's going to help her going forward because she's already getting a real favorable whistle at the the college level. And I'm sure that will transfer over to the pros as well. She's getting a bunch of her points from the free throw line often times."

Lundberg highlighted an ongoing notion around free throws when comparing JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers' seasons. The USC guard, who posted a record breaking freshman stretch in 2023-24, is currently averaging 8.3 free throw attempts per game.

On the other hand, Bueckers, who tends to attempt acrobatic and tough-angeled layups, is only getting 2.8 attempts from the stripes per game. It is less than her free throw attempts as a freshman in the college circuit (2.9 FTA).

How did Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins perform?

In what could have been potentially their last matchup on the collegiate level, JuJu Watkins redeemed the Trojans for last year's season-ending loss to the Huskies (80-73) in the NCAA tournament.

"It feels great to get the dub always," Watkins said (as per ESPN). "I think it hit a little different knowing the history of last year and how they sent us home. It was just great to see everybody that came out. I don't think I've ever played in front of so many people."

Starting the game on a strong foot, Watkins poured 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks. She shot 56.3% from the field and 3 of 4 from the 3-point line. Paige Bueckers posted 22 points, three rebounds and two assists 40.9% shooting from the field and 2 of 8 shooting from the 3-point line.

The Huskies trailed by 42-19 at the half. Even though UConn came back from the double digit deficit later in the game, USC clinched the contest behind the game-clock and crucial missed free-throws by Sarah Strong in the final seconds of the game.