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MEN’S BASKETBALL — 2023-24
USC vs. Kansas State — as it happened
Last updated:
Scoring plays
Win probability
Game flow
Leaders
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Jordan Renville / Daily Trojan
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Garrett Hah & Thomas Johnson from Las Vegas; photos by Jordan Renville. With Dana Hammerstrom and Stefano Fendrich from Los Angeles
It’s the much anticipated season opener, and the Trojans already have their work cut out for them.
USC has a new look this season, with one of the top backcourt duos in the country — freshman guard Isaiah Collier and fifth-year guard Boogie Ellis — under its wing.
We’ll be reporting live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Refresh to see new updates.
9:15 p.m.
The Trojans take it home as Kobe Johnson secures the final rebound of the game to cement the score at 82-69. A good start to the season for USC, with a win over a team fresh off of an Elite 8 run less than a year ago.
9:13 p.m.
Boogie Ellis heads to the free throw line with 18.5 seconds left in the game, with his team up by 11 points. This game is all but over as the Trojans lead 80-69.
9:07 p.m.
A Tylor Perry 3-pointer knocks USC’s lead down to a mere eight points, with 2:21 left in the game. The Trojans have not hit a shot from the field in over four minutes of game time.
9:02 p.m.
Kansas State making a late push, moving within 12 points with four minutes left in the game. Andy Enfield calls a timeout to regroup.
Collier has fouled out of the game, meaning his collegiate debut is now over. He finishes with 18 points, six assists and three rebounds. If the game ended now, he and Boogie Ellis would be co-game-leading scorers
8:44 p.m.
USC seems to have found its rhythm on offense. They’ve scored eight points in the last two minutes, all assisted, and lead 65-48 with ten minutes to go in the second half.
8:29 p.m.
With 15 minutes left in the second half, USC has built a 51-40 lead. Collier has started to take over on offense. two assists and a 3-pointer in USC’s last three scoring possessions for Collier. He’s up to 18 points and 6 assists.
8:03 p.m.
It’s halftime. USC leads 40-30, thanks in large part to Kansas State’s putrid shooting. USC’s star backcourt leads the way, with Collier and Ellis combining for 28 points and 6 assists.
But Kansas State is still in striking distance due to the Trojan’s inability to secure defensive rebounds. They’ve gifted Kansas State 16 offensive rebounds in the half.
7:59 p.m.
Cue DJ Malski! Boogie Ellis has seven of his 10 points in the past three minutes of game time as USC leads 37-25 with 1:10 left in the half.
7:47 p.m.
USC is being flat-out dominated on the boards so far, despite leading 28-24. The Trojans are lucky that Collier has been putting on a show with 15 points already, and that the Wildcats are only shooting 28% from the field.
7:37 p.m.
USC freshmen are making their presence known in their first game as the Trojans lead 23-18. Arrinten Page quiets the large K-State crowd with a rebound into a dunk and Collier, Page’s old high school teammate, has 10 points and four assists.
7:28 p.m.
The Trojans might be leading 14-10, but they have not scored a point in more than two and a half minutes.
USC keeping Kansas State, who are shooting 13% from the field, in the offensive end of the court by letting the Wildcats grab offensive rebounds.
7:17 p.m.
First timeout of the night and the score is a 7-5 USC lead. Joshua Morgan is working well in the paint with three blocks already. Collier with five of the Trojan points.
7:13 p.m.
USC will have to deal with the size of Kansas State all night as three of the Wildcat starters are listed at 6-foot-7-inches or taller. K-State already with three offensive rebounds.
But USC has the lead 5-3 after an Isaiah Collier and-1 for his first college basket.
7:08 p.m.
USC’s starting five tonight:
G Isaiah Collier
G Boogie Ellis
G Kobe Johnson
F DJ Rodman
F Joshua Morgan
7:00 p.m.
We are minutes away from tip-off here at T-Mobile Arena. No. 21 ranked USC is set to take on Kansas State, an Elite 8 team last season, with the collegiate debut of Isaiah Collier in the national spotlight tonight.
