Lindsay Gottlieb Critics Should Shut up

The hate Lindsay Gottlieb takes from the ignorant masses is exhausting, and it says more about the critics than it does about her. People love to talk loud when a program has expectations, but they rarely understand what they’re watching—or what it actually takes to build and sustain an elite women’s basketball program in 2026.

Let’s start with the obvious: Gottlieb is an elite recruiter. That’s not a debate. The talent she has brought to USC is undeniable, and it’s exactly why the standard has shifted from “nice story” to “national title contender.” But the real tell isn’t just the names on the roster—it’s the culture. Her players adore her, trust her, and consistently speak about her leadership with respect. Around the sport, she’s viewed as a pro’s pro: prepared, connected, and credible. That matters, because programs don’t become champions on talent alone—they become champions when the locker room believes.

This season has been transitional, and yes, nine losses looks ugly if you’re only scanning standings. But context matters. USC entered a new era of expectations, then had to navigate a major reality: JuJu Watkins sitting the season out with injury. That changes everything—shot creation, spacing, late-game options, and emotional gravity. When your reigning national player of the year is removed from the equation, the entire team has to re-learn itself. And that takes time.

So when the critics whine about the offense, it’s beyond dumb. Gottlieb has NBA experience and she’s implementing a pro-style structure because her players want to be pros. USC recruits future WNBA talent; they don’t want a cute system that only works in college. They want reads, spacing, actions, counters—things that translate. That kind of offense isn’t always instant chemistry. It requires players to understand roles, timing, and trust. This year’s group has had to grow into that, and they’re doing it in real time.

You can see it in individuals. Kara Dunn is starting to thrive as she gets more comfortable and the team finds rhythm. Jazzy Davidson is a freshman sensation—legit elite—but she’s also 19, and people have expected her to carry the team from day one like she’s a fifth-year pro. The truth? She’s been awesome from day one and she’s improving fast, exactly like you’d hope for a future star.

Then there’s Kennedy Smith, who has been asked to be an “experienced leader” as a sophomore, which is a ridiculous burden when you think about it. And she’s handled it. She remains one of the best defensive players in the country, and she kept improving even as the team dealt with injuries and instability. Smith missing games right as USC started to show signs of putting things together was brutal timing. Now she’s healthy—expect her to be a key piece of a late-season push.

And here’s the part the loudest critics always miss: the season isn’t over. Teams don’t get graded in January and February. They get graded in March. USC will continue to improve, and it would not shock me at all if they not only get into the tournament, but find a way to advance to the second weekend. That’s what well-coached, talented teams do: they take their lumps, find their identity, and peak when it matters.

Next year is where the program’s trajectory becomes impossible to deny. USC—right there with UConn—should be national title favorites. Watkins will be healthy. Davidson and Smith return with another year of experience. And the incoming freshman stars Satiyah Fagan and Saniya Hall give USC arguably the best class in the country. You’re staring at a future lineup that could be five WNBA players on the floor at once. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because the head coach is building something real.

Now let’s address two tired criticisms.

First: “There’s no offensive flow.” That’s nonsense. What people mean is: “I don’t recognize this offense because it isn’t simplistic.” Pro-style offenses can look messy early because they require reads, counters, and collective timing. When Watkins was healthy, she did have to force shots—especially as a freshman—because she’s that good and sometimes the best option really is your superstar breaking double coverage. As the roster improved, that burden decreased, and it would have continued to decrease further if she hadn’t been injured.

Second: “Too many players transferred.” Welcome to modern college sports. Everyone is dealing with transfers. More importantly, the transfers out of USC haven’t come with hard feelings or public bitterness. A lot of these players are talented and want to be a primary option—and when you can see the writing on the wall that even more talent is already at USC or arriving next, some will choose a better fit, more minutes, or a move closer to home. That’s normal. And tellingly, nobody has been out here torching Gottlieb. You don’t see former players running her down. You see the opposite: respect for her and for their time in the program.

So what are we really talking about? We’re talking about people who got addicted to instant gratification. People who see nine losses and ignore everything else: injuries, youth, role changes, the transition into a new standard, and the reality that development is not linear.

Gottlieb has USC in great hands. The roster is loaded, the culture is strong, and the team is tight-knit. This is not a program wobbling—it’s a program growing. And if you can’t see that, you’re not evaluating basketball—you’re reacting emotionally.

The bottom line: Lindsay Gottlieb is building a powerhouse. The critics can keep yelling into the void. USC is going to keep recruiting, keep developing, and keep rising. And don’t be surprised when this group turns into a late-season problem this year—and a full-blown national title threat next year.

And yes, if you want my long-view prediction: you’re going to see these Trojans in the Final Four by 2027.