Andy Enfield explains USC's issues breaking the press

Despite an 85-75 win for USC over Stanford, head coach Andy Enfield acknowledged the team struggled with Stanford’s press throughout the game.

With the victory, USC improved to 19-8 on the year but there were lapses according to Enfield. The press was something the Trojans handled well throughout the year but the Cardinal gave them trouble.

USC was outscored in the second half, but hung on for the win.

“That’s on our guys standing there watching, instead of cutting it open or standing there for three seconds,” Enfield said. “We had two guys just standing. So you have that little sense of urgency and IQ. I can’t go out there and run the plays for them or call timeout every time they press us. We’ve been handling press great all year, getting the ball in bounds. I think it’s our first five second call we’ve gotten all season against the press. 

“So you know we have veteran guys, when someone presses you have to be aggressive. We have to be just as aggressive, more aggressive than the defense in getting open, catching it being tough, ball faking. The second guy’s got to get open. And we’ve been very good at it all year but it is frustrating. Sometimes you see veterans that they think the game’s over or something or you have a 10 or 12 point lead and now suddenly you have a couple of turnovers that could have been avoided. You can avoid those as if you just played the right way.”

The small lapses did not prevent Boogie Ellis from having a career night. He had 33 points, two rebounds and seven assists while Drew Peterson added 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists for USC.

“Good win for our team, Stanford is playing very good basketball,” Enfield said. “This is a tough game for us. Stanford just beat Arizona and were playing very well. Our players knew they had to come out with some energy. It’s nice to be home here on our home court, we’ve won14 straight. Our guys, after getting down early in the game, really turned it around with our defense and started making shots and so pretty good.” 

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USC hits the floor again Thursday on the road for a date against Colorado at 9:00 p.m. ET.