USC standout Juju Watkins tried to cover the disappointment on her face with her left hand after last season’s Elite Eight loss. But the frustrations and heartache were still too great to hide.&nbsp;

Never mind the fact Watkins broke a 40-year record to become the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I basketball after a 29-point performance.&nbsp;

Watkins was upset that, despite her best efforts, USC was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on the doorstep of a Final Four berth by Connecticut.&nbsp;

“Coming up short, that adds a lot of fuel to the fire for the next couple years,” Watkins told reporters after the loss.&nbsp;

About seven weeks into the season, someone new has launched herself into the forefront of the Player of the Year conversation. {ai:summary}<p>USC's Juju Watkins expressed her disappointment following the team's Elite Eight loss to Connecticut, despite breaking a 40-year record as the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I basketball. Her 29-point performance was overshadowed by the team's elimination from the tournament.</p><p>Watkins emphasized that the setback would motivate her and the team for the upcoming seasons, stating that coming up short adds "fuel to the fire." #sports</p>

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