The Trojans avenged their rivalry loss from January on Saturday, blitzing UCLA with 10 consecutive points to start the second half for a 62-56 victory at Pauley Pavilion.
USC (11-16, 5-11 Pac-12) won its first game at Pauley Pavilion since 2021 and coach Andy Enfield moved into a tie for third on the program’s all-time wins list with his 216th victory.
That life, for years, has been carefully constructed on routine — staying later than anyone else in cardinal and gold after practices, honing his shot relentlessly, grinding in the summers. When routine doesn’t lead to results, negativity seeps into Ellis’ worldview, easy to see across the past month as USC’s season has slipped away. I’m pretty hard on myself, Ellis mumbled after Thursday’s practice; whichever way the ball bounces affects his very state of being, and it has bounced too often away in Ellis’ last year at USC.
“But you gotta stay strong,” Ellis said Thursday, stoic. “Keep pushing.”
He pushed from the very tip at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night, potentially his final game against bitter rival UCLA in a standout USC career. At numerous points where it seemed USC could bend to the point of breaking, through an end-of-first-half implosion and late sloppiness, he and fellow captain Kobe Johnson (0) held the Trojans together in a 62-56 win — Ellis finishing with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, authoring one final performance as the Mick Cronin-described “Bruin killer.”
“Just using all these games to get us ready for the Pac-12 tournament. We know we have to win out there,” said Ellis.
After making a habit of ceding leads this season, USC gave up another double-digit advantage but responded by forcing 12 UCLA turnovers in the second half and holding the Bruins (14-13, 9-7) to 33.3% shooting from the field.
The loss, UCLA’s second consecutive at home following a heartbreaker to Utah at the buzzer last Sunday, knocked the Bruins off the NCAA tournament bubble for good, barring a championship run in the conference tournament. Already long out of the NCAA tournament picture, the rivalry win helps USC continue to build momentum with a finally healthy roster.
There was little left to play for, really, on Saturday night for Ellis and USC besides simple pride. In September, his first time speaking to media in a new year, Ellis rationalized his reason for a return as a super-senior as “the opportunity to win a national championship,” a dream that’s been dashed for months. USC’s only shot at March dwindled to a run through the Pac-12 tournament as Ellis was beset by a variety of injuries, most notably a hamstring issue in mid-January, knocking him out for a few games and leaving him hobbled for weeks even when he did return.
“He came back, he looked older than me trying to play,” head coach Andy Enfield cracked postgame Saturday.
A sense of urgency rippled through his jabs and cuts off screens against UCLA (14-13, 9-7 in Pac-12), perhaps a USC senior realizing just a few games remained until his draft stock was fully solidified, perhaps a USC senior who simply wanted to beat UCLA for what could be the last time. Ellis flared off one first-half screen on an inbound, fading and falling to his right, draining a triple in a shot reminiscent of Damian Lillard’s best work. He flew down the lane a possession later, lofting a floater to force a goaltend from UCLA’s Adem Bona, Bruins coach Mick Cronin so incensed he immediately signaled for a timeout.
With five minutes left in the half, big Vincent Iwuchukwu — who left his own mark warding off Bona all night — glanced over at the scoreboard. Ellis had 17. That’s a quiet 17, Iwuchukwu recalled thinking.
“But man, Boogie’s impact is so much bigger than just the offense,” Iwuchukwu said postgame.
It was felt in the locker room, after USC (11-16, 5-11 in Pac-12) closed the first half horribly, their bigs falling into foul trouble as UCLA mounted a 17-4 run before the break. Ellis, understanding these Trojans have too often faltered when teams made runs, told guys to focus on getting quality shots in the second half, he said.
And it was felt in Ellis’ demeanor in the second half, scoring just six points on a variety of layups but gritting tough in helping USC ward off the Bruins in an ugly final frame. He finished with five boards, tying for a USC game high on a team that’s struggled massively to rebound, going into a throng and simply ripping the ball away from the Bruins early in the second half.
“I’ve let my team down this year when it comes to rebounding … coming here forward, I’m going to try to really emphasize helping out on the boards,” Ellis said postgame, ever-quick to pin blame on his own shoulders.
And when his shot fell short at times in the second half, co-captain Kobe Johnson stepped up, nabbing a key handful of second-half steals and hitting a massive corner three to put USC up 11 with three minutes to play. It was enough to escape with a win, Ellis’ first against UCLA at Pauley in his USC career. And a season of grit, for one moment, had paid off.
“I’m glad,” Ellis said postgame, “that I’m back to myself.”
latimes.com/ocregister.com
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Manziel says he’s not participating in anymore in Heisman meetings until Bush is given he’s Heisman back…lol Well I would hope so lol because you got away with far more violations of NCAA rules than Bush did. Funny how it’s ok for Manziel, and it was ok for Urban Meyer at Florida as well, but it’s not ok for USC. It’s ok of course at Ohio St too. And I’m pretty sure Saban doesn’t build a dynasty at Alabama without going against NCAA violations. Just saying!
Report: Caleb Williams Made Around $10M from NIL Deals in Final 2 Seasons at USC For USC, it’s been like already having a starting NFL QB on the roster Doric Sam (B/R) — As USC star QB Caleb Williams gears up for the 2024 NFL draft, he reportedly will be entering the league with a large chunk of change already in his pockets. Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that “between NIL money and endorsements, Caleb made millions in his final two seasons at USC, with multiple sources putting the number around $10 million.” Kahler noted that Williams “signed… Read more »
The Athletic’s college football writers project Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft before the combine The rules of this mock draft prohibit trading up or down 1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC 2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU 4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State 5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU 7. Tennessee Titans: Olu Fashanu, T, Penn State 8. Atlanta Falcons: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington 9. Chicago Bears: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State 10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame 11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan 12. Denver Broncos: Dallas Turner, LB/DE, Alabama 13. Las Vegas Raiders: JC… Read more »
I see the Falcons continue to double down on stupid by wasting another first round pick on a receiver. Unless you think you are getting Jerry Rice, there are plenty of receivers to go around. The NFL is a QB and OL league. But the Falcons have never been a smart franchise…. Go Rams! Go Chargers!
Former NFL RB Merril Hoge on Caleb Williams and Drake Maye Caleb Williams: Doesn’t take the easy stuff enough. Pump the brakes. Extremely elusive. Elite accuracy. But doesn’t function from the pocket well enough as he will have to in the NFL, and is only 6-1. He won’t survive in the NFL long if he runs around too much. That is his biggest hurdle. He’s gonna have to learn how to manage his elusiveness. Patrick Mahomes sat for a year and had some of the best coaching in the NFL. Williams has got to learn to move the chains, and… Read more »
Hoge seems to have the contrarian opinion of everybody else.
He sounds like an idiot. Maybe to much head injury.
Chicago. Another Stupid Franchise. They haven’t been great since the mid-80’s. Poor Caleb. I hope I am wrong.
Caleb Williams (love that sidearm toss), Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels will skip throwing drills at the NFL combine. JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix apparently will throw. Chris Burke and Dane Brugler (The Athletic) — INDIANAPOLIS — “The quarterbacks aren’t scheduled to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine until Saturday, but already it appears there will be far less star power on the field than teams (and the league’s broadcast partners) had hoped. USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels — for many, the top three available QB prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft — all have decided to sit out this weekend’s throwing drills, a… Read more »
I would guess the top 10 picks know the team that wants them. Maybe one other team is in the mix. Those further down the line need to impress as many teams as possible in one place. Does make the combine less of a “show” for TV. Then again why should it?
As USC gears up for spring ball we finally will have something to talk about besides dumb polls, recruits, and lawsuits. I think there is going to be a huge battle for the starting QB job. Moss and Maiava are both pretty darn good, and right now I think Moss will prevail mostly based on his experience in the LR system. Maiava will come along as fall camp starts so it could get exciting. I sure hope Jake gets to make another great run for 1 yard this next season.
And we won’t have to pay attention to or act like we care about Mens Basketball anymore….
It would be nice if some day the football and basketball teams were both really great. Ain’t happening with Andy. Hope it will happen with LR.
NFL.com’s grades for eight USC players (5.5 – 8 range) #1 QB Caleb Williams, 6-1, 215, 6.76 — Year 1 Starter, NFL comparison — Kyler Murray #4 RB MarShawn LLoyd, 5-9, 217, 6.18 — Good Backup With The Potential To Develop Into Starter, NFL comparison — Jerick McKinnon #9 S Calen Bullock, 6-3, 190, 6.13 — Good Backup With The Potential To Develop Into Starter #22 WR Brenden Rice, 6-2, 212, 6.10 — Good Backup With The Potential To Develop Into Starter, NFL comparison — Nick Westbrook-Ikhine #27 CB Christian Roland-Wallace, 5-11, 203, 5.96 — Average Backup Or Special-Teamer #31… Read more »
Sounds as though the ncaa is going to let schools implement technology, finally. Coaches will have comms with the QB and possibly one on defense, and they are actually going allow tablets on the sidelines. But of course the ncaa is so far behind the times they just cannot seem to get the final okay yet. Clowns.
The NCAA has been made irrelevant by the courts and schools. I wonder why they still exist.
RT, I think your answer may be that the ncaa controls March Madness and the large pot of gold that comes with it. It doesn’t equal what Football produces dollar-wise, but it is still a significant source of power and relevance. But they are still nothing but a performance of many Klowns in a VW–like in the circus.
That is an excellent step into the 21st century by the NCAA. That should also help LR get the initial play in faster because he does like to change it 3 times before the snap.
Steveg clowns don’t deserve that criticism. They serve a purpose. The NCAA doesn’t, never has and never will. 😉
Very good point, 2 many years, about the ncaa.
The words I wanted to use would get me kicked off of here so clowns was what came out. I do agree with you completely.
Interesting observation about “Bruin Killer” Boogie Ellis.
Someone else referred to him as the “Anthony Davis of Basketball“. Works for me.
Of course, to many SC and ND fans, AD is known as “Irish Killer Anthony Davis“, since he scored an unbelievable 11 career TDs vs the Irish.
Nice pants AD! I remember the style well.
Sure loved watching you lead USC to that 45-23 victory over ND while scoring those six TDs in one game on Dec. 2, 1972 at the Coliseum. Superb LAT headline!
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Damn! I remember that headline–back in the days had a world class sports section…..
back in the day when the LA Times had a world class sports section. my fingers did not type as fast as my thoughts
They really did, and seemed to be pretty friendly to USC, especially in the ’60s and ’70’s, when USC football was so good and often one of the biggest shows in town because of stars like AD, Simpson and Allen. (Ya, Caleb’s right up there too now). I think the sports section was just such a very fun thing back in the John McKay and John Robinson days. They were both so great with the press that they set a positive tone for USC regarding overall coverage. Now sports sections don’t seem to have the same flair, just in the… Read more »
Does anyone know wha is happening with Greg Katz of WeAreSC? He hasn’t been on Inside the Trojan Huddle or posted any articles for a few weeks now. Hoping he is on vacation and nothing is wrong.
I think Katz has a medical issue and will be out a while.
Thanks Steve
#18 UTAH women beat #7 USC 74-68 at Galen
Juju gets another 30 for the all time freshman scoring record. Marshall and Padilla were Red hot Friday night, but Ice cold Sunday afternoon.
Caleb Williams prepares for 2024 NFL draft without agent Donovan James (Trojans Wire) — Former USC Trojans superstar QB Caleb Williams could soon become the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but he does not currently employ an agent. According to Pro Football Talk, the USC signal caller and 2022 Heisman winner has not hired an agent — and does not plan to do so. If Williams goes without an agent, he will follow in the footsteps of Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson — a 2018 first-round pick — who signed a five-year, $260 million extension last offseason. Mike Florio of PFT weighed in… Read more »
Jen Cohen, this win is not good enough for Andy Enfield to keep his job.
Holy cow, did she really say that?
No quotations, my advice to her. 😉