BIRMINGHAM, Ala. >> Dawn Staley sent JuJu Watkins a text as soon as she saw the star Southern California sophomore suffer a season-ending knee injury on Monday night.

It was “really tough” to see Watkins in pain, the South Carolina women’s basketball coach said.

“JuJu is loved by all of us,” Staley added.

Coaches and players all across women’s basketball, along with fans of the game, feel the impact of Watkins’ injury. The dominant USC guard and Associated Press All-America first-teamer will likely miss significant time, leaving the sport without one of its most transcendent stars during March Madness.

How Watkins’ absence will affect the women’s Sweet 16 remains to be seen, though attendance and ratings are down from last season’s record highs for the women’s tournament that featured Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. But that shouldn’t come as surprise.

After the record-setting numbers that tuned in for the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird showdown in the 1979 national championship, the ratings for the 1980 tourney signficantly dropped.

“JuJu is raising our game up with how she plays,” said Staley, whose Gamecocks will face Maryland on Friday in the Sweet 16, “with pouring into marketing when it comes to NIL deals. She’s a business herself. And to see part of that not be a part of our NCAA Tournament — something is missing. There’s a big void.”

In the opening two rounds of this year’s women’s tournament, there were 224,972 fans in attendance, representing a 30% decrease from last season’s record that saw 292,456 people show up. Still, this year’s mark is the third highest ever, also trailing the 231,677 that came to March Madness in 2023.

Ratings also dropped, with the first round averaging 367,000 viewers across all 32 games. That’s a 22% drop from last season. But those numbers are up 43% from the 2023 tournament, which was the second-most watched ever.

“It’s a massive disappointment because she’s such an extraordinary player,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo. “People would be watching her for the first time in the regionals. It’s a huge disappointment and blow as we’ve had so much growth over last year and a half.

“She’s been a big part of that.”

Watkins has become the face of women’s college basketball

Watkins’ knee bent awkwardly as she planted her right foot on a fast break five minutes into USC’s victory against Mississippi State in the second round. She immediately grimaced and collapsed onto the court before being carried off by multiple people, unable to put any weight on her leg. USC later said she would have surgery and then rehabilitate.

After the injury, many took to social media to express their heartbreak and send encouragement, including Johnson, Reese and Clark.

“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu,” Clark posted on X. “Kid will come back stronger than ever.”