For those who follow NCAA basketball, the shocking incident involving USC basketball star JuJu Watkins is likely already on your radar. She endured a heartbreaking injury that has unfortunately ended her season. During USC’s second-round triumph against Mississippi State, Watkins suffered an ACL tear following a foul while making a fast break.
The standout freshman, boasting an impressive average of 24.6 points per game and considered a leading candidate for National Player of the Year, was clearly in distress and required assistance to leave the court. The injury represents a significant setback for USC, a top seed, as they advance in the tournament without their standout athlete. Watkins is set to have surgery and is anticipated to endure a recovery timeline of six to nine months.
Amidst the alarming incident involving the college basketball star, ESPN found itself facing significant backlash from fans. What precisely went wrong? ESPN encountered criticism regarding its coverage of JuJu Watkins’ injury. The audience expressed disapproval toward the network for airing prolonged footage of Watkins visibly in distress following her knee injury. Both fans and players took to social media to voice their discontent. What about an example? Chelsea Gray took to her X to express her thoughts, asking, “There was no other picture to use?”
Now, the focus has shifted to a different ESPN broadcast. This time, the discussion moves to NCAA softball. On Reddit, u/Oldtimer_2 shared a clip on r/sports highlighting a remarkable achievement: “Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens throws the fastest recorded pitch in NCAA softball history. 78.2 mph.” Star pitcher Karlyn Pickens achieved a remarkable milestone in her latest NCAA game. The sophomore ace has firmly established herself as one of the most formidable pitchers in college softball, following her 78.2 mph pitch against Arkansas junior Kailey Wyckoff.
Dec 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
However, ESPN overshadowed this historic moment, failing to adequately showcase the record-breaking pitch. This development follows the backlash faced by ESPN regarding its contentious coverage of JuJu Watkins’ injury, intensifying the dissatisfaction with the network’s approach to significant sports events.
Fans weren’t too happy with ESPN following the JuJu Watkins incident
This was a significant moment for fans in Tennessee, thanks to the NCAA softball player. Nonetheless, this significant event received inadequate attention, as one fan remarked, “The commentators didn’t even bat an eye to talk about this.” In a similar vein, another viewer commented, “Shows everything wrong with a bad broadcast. Deciding to carve out time to turn the game into a bad podcast, rather than reacting authentically to what’s happening on the field.” This fan appears to have multiple complaints, stating, “Wow announcers completely miss it and the video is cropped like s***. Great work.”
In the wake of JuJu Watkins’ injury, coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed obvious worry, saying, “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu lying on the floor and crying.” Additionally, MSU coach Sam Purcell expressed his heartfelt sentiments, saying, “My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu. Obviously, we’re competitors and you never want to see that, especially what she means for women’s basketball.”
Watkins commands significant attention in the NCAA basketball arena, and this injury sent shockwaves not just through her team but also among rival players. In the match, USC clinched a decisive victory with a score of 96-59, advancing to the Sweet 16.
However, the issues with the broadcast extended to NCAA softball, resulting in a missed opportunity for Karlyn Pickens, as one fan remarked, “Welcome to ESPN broadcasts for softball and baseball.” One observer noted, “And these commentators didn’t even notice lol.” This must undoubtedly be a source of frustration for the fans. Opportunities like this arise infrequently, and failing to seize them will inevitably result in a diminished historical narrative surrounding this specific pitch.
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