With the NCAA women's basketball tournament set, the USC Trojans had a clear message to fans filling out their brackets: "Don't pick us."
This message is not, in fact, a sign of their disbelief in their team, but rather a message to not hop on the USC bandwagon now.
During an ad with The Player's Tribune for the tournament, the team explained all the ways the Trojans have been doubted this season, especially heading into the year.
Rayah Marshall began the video's message, saying, "You want some advice while filling out your bracket this year? Don't pick us."
The Trojans then pointed out how coming into the season, they ranked just No. 21. Now, they rank No. 3 heading into March Madness, their highest ranking in almost four decades.
Even in their own conference, the Trojans were doubted. USC was predicted to finish sixth in the Pac-12, when they would actually go on to win the conference's tournament.
The Trojans have clearly raced past all expectations set for them to begin the year. However, this is a new edition of the team. The Trojans gained four difference making players this season in transfer Kayla Padilla, Kaitlyn Davis and McKenzie Forbes and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year JuJu Watkins.
Though the team has certainly been underestimated, it would have been hard to foreshadow how great they've become, especially with so many new additions. Even with Watkins coming in as the No. 1 recruit, it's still incredible how she shattered school records, including putting up 13 thirty-point games as a freshman.
The Trojans certainly have a great shot at winning the NCAA Tournament. They've come in as a No. 1 seed, and the toughest competition will be Iowa, Texas and South Carolina, who the Trojans would not have to face until the Final Four or later. For now, USC will prep for their first opponent this week, Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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