**Summary: USC Coach Defends Chandler Prater Amid Online Criticism**
USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb defended Mississippi State player Chandler Prater after she received severe online backlash for her role in JuJu Watkins’ season-ending injury during a game on Monday night.
### Who, What, When, Where, Why
On Friday, Lindsay Gottlieb, the head coach of USC women’s basketball, spoke out in support of Mississippi State’s Chandler Prater. The incident occurred during a second-round game on Monday night, where Prater was involved in a play that led to JuJu Watkins suffering a knee injury. Gottlieb emphasized that she did not believe Prater intended to harm Watkins, highlighting the physical nature of the game and condemning the online bullying directed at Prater.
### Defense of Chandler Prater
– **Intent and Physicality**: Gottlieb stated, “There was nothing to me that looked like it had any intent to hurt her… It was a physical game.” She expressed that no one deserves to be bullied online, especially a young athlete like Prater who was simply trying to make a play.
– **Online Backlash**: Following the incident, Prater disabled comments on her recent Instagram posts due to an influx of hateful messages, with some labeling her a “dirty” player. Comments included:
– “Learn how to play the sport without fouling and injuring players.”
– “Dirty as hell.”
– “Quit playing basketball, you’re so a– you have to foul like that?”
### The Injury Incident
Watkins was injured during a fast break when she planted her right foot, causing her knee to bend awkwardly. She immediately showed signs of pain and was carried off the court. Gottlieb acknowledged the passion of fans for Watkins but reiterated that there was no malicious intent in Prater’s actions.
### Moving Forward
The USC Trojans will continue their tournament journey without Watkins, who is set to undergo surgery for a torn ACL. They are scheduled to face No. 5 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16. Gottlieb noted, “I think the prevailing feeling is that we can still do something together, and that’s what JuJu wants us to do.”
### Conclusion
As the tournament progresses, how will the USC team adapt to the loss of their star player, JuJu Watkins?
### FAQs:
**What did Lindsay Gottlieb say about Chandler Prater’s actions?**
Gottlieb defended Prater, stating there was no intent to harm JuJu Watkins and condemned the online bullying directed at her.