USC Basketball: Star Upperclassman Playing Through Persistent Hamstring Issue

Ellis is making no excuses for playing through an injury.

The USC Trojans' winning streak ended on Wednesday when they dropped their eighth game of the season and returned to .500 against the Washington State Cougars, 72-64. The Trojans gave up a winnable game and let the Cougars win in their home arena for the first time in nine years. 

USC won the turnover battle 8-13, but other than that, the Trojans lost in the shooting percentage department and rebound battle. It was tough to swallow, and it made it even worse with a hobbled Boogie Ellis. As noted by LA Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Ellis has been battling a lingering hamstring. 

“Ellis fought through a lingering hamstring injury to score 18 points with five rebounds, but lacked his usual explosiveness to make key shots down the stretch in USC’s 72-64 loss to Washington State on Wednesday at Galen Center.”

(per Thuc Nhi Nguyen via LA Times)

Still, Ellis put up a valiant effort, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 38.5% shooting, five rebounds, two assists, and one turnover. According to head coach Andy Enfield, Ellis didn't practice all week prior to the WSU game but also mentioned it's not the reason they lost. 

“Boogie hasn't practiced all week,” Enfield said. “It doesn't excuse our missed free throws, open shots or some of the mistakes we made.”

(per Andy Enfield via Clutch Points)

No one is making excuses, including Ellis. An 8-8 record is not ideal for the Trojans, considering where they started prior to the year. A lot needs to go right for the Trojans to get back on track for a bid to March Madness. The 23-year-old is looking forward to the challenge of leading his team through the fire. 

“In my eyes, pressure is always fake,” Ellis said. “At the end of the day, it’s basketball, you gotta go do what you gotta do. You gotta go get wins. Just gotta go win and we’re capable of that. I believe in my teammates, I believe in the guys in the locker room, I know what we’re capable of. I’ve seen us at our best and we have everybody in the locker room. I feel like we have the talent, we just gotta put it together.”

(per Boogie Ellis via LA Times)

There are plenty of games left!