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The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament lost a superstar on Monday following an injury to USC’s Juju Watkins. The future top WNBA pick tore her ACL in a game vs. Mississippi State.
The Trojans were able to withstand the setback, eventually besting the Bulldogs 96-59. Still, the injury is a shot to the team’s national championship chances.
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The setback was suffered early in the contest with the Trojans leading 13-2. Juju Watkins received a pass from a teammate before driving to the basket for a fast break layup.
She was met by a Mississippi State defender, causing her to land awkwardly on her right leg. Her knee buckled and she eventually had to be helped off the court.
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The gruesome injury sparked a slew of reaction. Some suggested that the Bulldogs defender made a dirty play while meeting Watkins on the court.
Green Bay head basketball coach Doug Gottlieb took things a step further. He insinuated that his players would be fighting the opposing team had it happened to the Phoenix.
Doug Gottlieb suggested violence in response to Juju Watkins’ injury.
In a now-deleted message, the coach reposted the play with a caption, “Men’s game we are fighting over this foul, no?” That response wasn’t received well by his audience.
Followers quickly blasted Gottlieb on the timeline, calling the reply inappropriate for anyone, let alone a sitting Division I head basketball coach.
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“This is the current head coach of a basketball team suggesting fighting over a foul,” one follower responded.
“This is a very normal play with a terrible and unfortunate outcome that could happen any time. The suggestion that ‘the men’ should overreact is… a choice,” wrote another.
Doug Gottlieb initially double down on his tweet. “Always have your teammate’s back, no questions asked,” he responded to one fan who disagreed with the take. He later deleted his message after seeing the negative response.
Gottlieb continues to make himself a storyline while attempting to lead the Green Bay hoops program. In Year 1, the Phoenix went 4-28 and finished last in the Horizon League. That wasn’t enough to make the coach from step away from his daytime radio show.
Juju Watkins, meanwhile, is a potential No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick. She averaged 23.9 points per game as a sophomore and had the Trojans positioned as a national title contender. Hopefully, she’s able to make a speedy recovery and return to full health.