This was hardly a universal feeling among USC basketball fans last spring, but certainly some members of the fan base felt it, and moreover, it was entirely understandable: When the news hit the wires that Boogie Ellis was staying at USC for one more season, some people were disappointed.
Let’s be very clear: Boogie Ellis was a good player for USC last season. He helped the Trojans put together a very good regular season and move into the NCAA Tournament. Ellis hustled, competed, and hit a number of very big shots for Andy Enfield’s team. USC would have been in a more difficult spot without him. The Trojans wouldn’t have remained unbeaten into January of 2022 without him. Yet, limitations existed.
He wasn’t an elite shooter. He didn’t always make the smartest possible plays. He didn’t get to the foul line enough. In the NCAA Tournament against Miami, Ellis did get injured, but it remained that Ethan Anderson — who later transferred to Wyoming — gave USC a bigger boost than Boogie. It was not Ellis’s finest hour. Fans had doubts, and those doubts came honestly. It was reasonable to question whether Ellis would be the best possible solution for USC this season. Maybe a transfer option would have been better.
Sunday against Auburn, Boogie Ellis spoke plainly, clearly and powerfully … and not with words.
USC’s guard got down and Boogied. Ellis went to work and scored 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting and an 8-of-10 performance at the foul line, including the game’s final few free throws in a 74-71 USC win. Boogie carried his USC teammates to the finish line. This win involved some supporting-cast contributions, but make no mistake: Boogie Ellis led this team. It climbed on his back and secured a huge result against a very good Auburn team.
USC is thankful Boogie Ellis stuck around one more season. NBA scouts were watching in the Galen Center. Ellis, who committed only two turnovers in what was a complete performance, noticeably improved his draft stock. Was that motivation? Sure it was. Did Boogie Ellis have more to prove than merely showing the scouts he could ball? Definitely. This was for USC more than anything else. His value to the program should not be underestimated.
Neither should the Trojans themselves — not after this big win.
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