USC Basketball: Andy Enfield Criticizes Boogie Ellis' Final Decision in Loss to LBSU

The issue is much bigger than Boogie Ellis.

USC's upset loss at home to Long Beach State marks the second time in their first 10 games that they've been defeated by a mid-major. 

The 5-point overtime loss was inexcusable, as USC led by 15 at halftime and possessed a major talent advantage over a team that hasn't been to March Madness since Bronny James was 8 years old. 

Poor late-game play has become a recurring issue for the Trojans, as their losses to UC Irvine and Oklahoma were similar in that despite being within striking range/having a lead, SC crumbled. 

Here's what Andy Enfield had to say about the loss:

"I don't know why Boogie passed the ball...For whatever reason our leading scorer passed the ball with one second left," Andy Enfield says of USC's final play of regulation.

— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) December 11, 2023

Sure, Boogie made the wrong decision on the play (and he took responsibility), but one way or another, SC never should've been in that situation in the first place. 

A 15-point lead never should've been blown against an inferior team. The Trojans shouldn't have had more turnovers than assists, and they shouldn't have shot 20/36 (55.6%) from the free-throw line. It's all inexplicable. 

Personally, I believe that the issue lies in Andy Enfield, as it seems like this team can never get over the hump, no matter who is on the roster. It's almost worse that they're in the position to win these games and then somehow lose them. 

Two consecutive first-round March Madness exits no Pac-12 Championships in the entirety of Enfield's tenure, and no sign of improving as USC enters the Big 10. It's a situation that is not trending up, and the problem starts at the top. 

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