USC Basketball: Trojan Standout Impresses Coach Andy Enfield Against Kansas State

He wowed in his season debut.

Ranked as the No. 21 team in the country, expectations are high for a USC program that couldn't make it out of the Round of 64 in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

While there is a lot of basketball left to play, the Trojans came out swinging Monday night, defeating Kansas State 82-69 in their season opener in Las Vegas.

Fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis led the Trojans with 24 points, but freshman guard Isaiah Collier impressed in his debut with 18 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. 

Collier, who was the top recruit out of the Class of 2023, fouled out with five minutes to go in the game and scored 15 points in the first half and only 3 in the second.

"I thought Isaiah played a great first half," said Head Coach Andy Enfield. "First game on a big stage here in Las Vegas, I thought it was important for us to get out to a fast start. I thought Boogie and Isaiah really controlled the tempo in the first half."

Collier led the Trojans with turnovers with 6 and his foul trouble was a clear indication that the jump from high school to college basketball is not an easy one.

"I definitely made a lot of mistakes in this game as far as turnovers and fouls as well," Collier said. "So just being smart overall when I'm in trouble. I just have to be smarter down the stretch for sure."

(Via 

Terrel Emerson of The Los Angeles Times

)

The Trojans will host Cal State Bakersfield Thursday night at 6 p.m. PST in Galen Center.

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