January 18, 1999
LOS ANGELES - The USC men's basketball team (10-5 overall, 2-4 in the Pacific-10 Conference), under the direction of third-year head coach Henry Bibby, looks to snap its three-game losing streak when it hosts crosstown rival No. 10 UCLA (12-4, 4-2) on Wednesday (Jan. 20) at the Sports Arena at 7:36 p.m. USC, which finished 9-19 a season ago, has already surpassed its win total from last year. The Trojans are in the midst of a stretch of five of seven games at the Sports Arena. USC follows the contest against UCLA with a trip to Washington for a pair of bouts before coming back to Los Angeles to host Oregon State and Oregon.
Game #16
USC vs. No. 10 UCLA (12-4, 4-2) on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Tip-off is set for 7:36 p.m. The game will be televised live by FOX Sports West with Steve Physioc and former USC Coach George Raveling calling the action. The contest will also be broadcast live on XTRA-AM Sports (690). The Bruins, under third-year coach Steve Lavin, are led by sophomore guards Earl Watson (13.0 ppg) and Baron Davis (12.4 ppg) as well as a host of talented freshmen, including forward Jerome Moiso (12.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg). UCLA swept USC last year, beating the Trojans, 101-84, at Pauley Pavilion and 82-75, in overtime, at the Sports Arena.
Last TWO Games
USC was swept at home by the Bay Area schools, falling to No. 4 Stanford, 72-55, last Thursday (Jan. 14) and losing to California, 89-75, last Saturday (Jan. 16). USC got a pair of career-high efforts from junior guard Quincy Wilder (18 points) and sophomore forward Greg Lakey (17 points), but couldn't stop Cal in the second half. The Trojans trailed for most of the first half but turned a 23-15 deficit into a 32-29 lead shortly before halftime with a 17-6 run. California, which had five players score in double figures, including Geno Carlisle's game-high 20 points, scored the last six points of the first half to take a 35-32 lead. The Bears went up 46-36 four minutes into the second half and never led by less than nine points again. The Trojans trailed by as many as 20 points in the second frame. USC shot .514 in the second half, but Cal shot .567, outscoring the Trojans, 54-43, in the second 20 minutes. Against Stanford, USC posted its worst shooting performance of the season (16-of-54, .296). The Cardinal only shot .400, but outrebounded the Trojans, 47-33, and made 26-of-35 foul shots. Senior guard Elias Ayuso was the only USC player to score in double digits, posting 15 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point land. USC freshman forward Sam Clancy, who had six blocks at Oregon State, followed up the performance with five blocks and two steals. Despite the poor shooting, USC led early and trailed only 26-22 with 2:59 to go in the first half. Stanford led 34-24 at the half and by 41-30 with 17:23 to go when the Cardinal went on a 10-0 run. Stanford led by as many as 25 points at 59-34 with 10:19 left. A 9-0 run brought USC to within 59-43 with 7:58 to go, but the Trojans got no closer than 15 the rest of the way.
LAST GAME NOTES
USC sophomore forward Greg Lakey entered the California game having scored only three points in the Trojans' first five Pac-10 games, but scored a career-high 17 against the Bears . . . Cal's 54 points in the second half tied the most given up by USC in that period (Kansas).
USC AT HOME
Dating back to 1996-97, the Trojans are 24-11 in their last 35 games at the Sports Arena and USC is 82-35 (.701) at the Sports Arena since the beginning of the 1991 season, including a 16-game winning streak over a span of the 1992 and 1993 seasons and a seven-game winning streak at the beginning of last season. USC has won 10 of its last 17 Pac-10 games at home and 14 of its last 22 such encounters.
TRENDS
USC's opponents shot 50 percent or better 11 times last year, but only three teams have done it thus far (Kansas, 59.4; Oregon, 53.3 and Arizona, 50.0). Overall, Trojan opponents are shooting only 40.7 percent, which helps explain why they have outrebounded USC on the offensive boards, 212-195.
Only one player (Brian Scalabrine) is averaging more than 30 minutes a game and only three others (Brandon Granville, Jeff Trepagnier and Elias Ayuso) are playing more than 20 minutes a game. * Only three players, Brian Scalabrine, Jeff Trepagnier and Elias Ayuso, have scored in double figures at least eight times this season for the Trojans. Scalabrine has done it 12 times, Trepagnier has done it nine times and Ayuso has done it eight times.
In 28 games in 1997-98, USC topped 50 percent from the field only three times. The 1998-99 Trojans, however, have already done it five times. * In its five road games, USC is 45-of-113 (.398) from three-point rage. In their 10 home games, the Trojans are 50-of- 168 (.298). The Trojans average 9.0 three-pointers made on the road and 5.0 at home.
block party
Troy, which finished last season as the Pac-10's top shot-blocking team (4.4 bpg), is well above last year's pace and is averaging 5.3 in its first 13 games in 1998-99. USC, which is without anyone taller than 6-foot-9, enter the week a block a game ahead of the next best team (California, 4.3).
getting defensive
The Trojans have held opponents to less than 60 points five times this season and have kept teams under 50 points three times. USC opponents are shooting only .407 and are averaging 19.5 turnovers a game compared to 17.0 a year ago.
PAC-10 Statistical Rankings
USC leads the Pac-10 in blocks (5.3), is second in steals (9.5) and is third in assists (16.6). Sam Clancy leads the Pac- 10 in blocks (1.8). Jeff Trepagnier (2.1) and Brandon Granville (2.0) are among the top five in steals and Brian Scalabrine is fifth in field goal percentage (.548). Trepagnier is tied for second in blocks at 1.5 and Granville is second in assists (5.3). USC's 23 steals against Loyola Marymount is a Pac-10 high and its 12-of-19 (.632) three-point performance at Oregon is the second-best effort (percentage-wise). Clancy's six blocks at Oregon and Trepagnier's eight steals against Loyola Marymount are both Pac-10 highs.
close shaves
The Trojans have had four games decided by three points or less and another game by six (USC is 4-1 in those games). Two games have been decided by nine points and the remaining eight by 15 points or more.
PLAY OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
Senior forward Adam Spanich's performance at Eugene on Jan. 7, is sure to garner much Play of the Year consideration (It already earned Compaq's Play of the Week nod). With USC down by five with 2.8 seconds remaining, Spanich hit a three-pointer from the right corner to make it 84-82 with eight-tenths of a second left. He then intercepted a long pass, took a dribble and swished a shot from half-court to stun the Ducks. Spanich, who had a season-high 26 points against the Ducks, also had a game-winning three-pointer against then-No. 2 Arizona in the next-to-last game of the 1997-98 season.
more TROJAN NOTES
USC's 10-5 record is its best start since the 1993-94 season. * USC has overcome big deficits for both of its Pac-10 wins, coming back
from 18 points to beat Arizona State and 16 points to beat Oregon.
Forward Brian Scalabrine played all 45 minutes of the Oregon State game, the most a Trojan player has played since Harold Miner did it at Arizona State on Jan. 13, 1991.
USC's win at Oregon was its first Pac-10 road win since beating Washington State in Pullman on March 6, 1997. * USC is finishing games strong so far this season, outscoring its opponents in the second half of games, 40.3 to 35.1. The Trojans also enjoy an edge in the first half, 35.4 to 34.5. Overall, USC is outscoring its opponents, 76.1 to 70.2.
Sophomore guard Jeff Trepagnier and freshman guard Brandon Granville are averaging 2.1 and 2.0 steals, respectively. * Trojan steal and assist averages are up considerably compared to 1997-98. USC is averaging 9.5 steals per game, compared to 8.4 last year, and 16.6 assists per game, compared to 14.0 last year.
With the Trojans' 10-5 start, Henry Bibby has raised his record as head coach at USC to 36-35.
USC's win at UNLV may be a good omen. Only four teams beat the Rebels on their home court last year (Syracuse, Utah, New Mexico and UCLA) and all four went to the NCAA Tournament.
SENIOR BOMBERS
Senior guard Elias Ayuso and senior forward Adam Spanich are both among USC's Top 10 all-time three-point leaders at fifth and 10th, respectively. Ayuso became the ninth Trojan with at least 100 three-pointers in his career with his trey against St. Bonaventure and now has 127. Spanich joined Ayuso in the Top 10 with his four three-pointers against the Bonnies and now has 98 in his Trojan career.
STARTER INFO
Sophomore guard Jeff Trepagnier, sophomore forward/center Brian Scalabrine and freshman guard Brandon Granville have started all 15 of USC's games and senior guard Elias Ayuso has started 12 times. Freshman forward Sam Clancy has started nine times, junior forward Jarvis Turner and sophomore forward Greg Lakey have started three times each, senior forward Adam Spanich has started twice and junior guard Quincy Wilder has started once.
USC AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
The Trojans are 3-16 versus ranked teams since December of 1996. USC has played three ranked teams this season, falling to then-No. 10 Kansas, 107-78, then-No.8 Arizona, 87-78, and No. 4 Stanford, 72-55. In the three wins, USC shocked then-No. 6 (and eventual NCAA champion) Arizona, 75-62, on Jan. 16, 1997, defeated then-No. 16 Stanford, 84-81, on Feb. 6, 1997, and toppled then-No. 2 Arizona, 91-90 (OT), on March 5, 1998. All three games were at the Sports Arena.
Tidbits
USC's 6-0 start was its best since the 1974-75 season, when the Trojans won their first eight games . . . Kansas' 107 points tied the most points ever scored against USC (Arizona 1992, UCLA 1967). Loyola Marymount's 43 points were the lowest opponent point total since Sacramento State's 40 last season . . . Long Beach State made only two free throws in its game at USC. Only twice in USC history has an opponent made less (Washington State, 1981, and Portland, 1989 - one each) . . . USC's 47-point margin of victory against San Diego State was its biggest since beating UC Irvine by 62, 107-45, in the 1996-97 season.
ROSTER change
Sophomore guard Kevin Augustine has decided to leave school and transfer. A reserve point guard this season, Augustine was averaging 1.6 points and 2.0 assists in 9.4 minutes per game in seven outings when he decided to leave the team. He had a season-high seven points against St. Bonaventure and played a season-high 21 minutes against Loyola Marymount. He started 10 games as a true freshman in 1997-98 and averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 assists in 26 appearances.
On the Air
All of USC's remaining games will be broadcast on XTRA-AM Sports 690. Rory Markas handles the play-by-play duties for the Trojans and ex-USC assistant coach Jim Hefner is the analyst.
Talented newcomers
For the second consecutive season, USC has a talented cast of newcomers that are contributing right away. In 1997-98, the Trojans featured four freshmen, all of whom saw considerable playing time. This year, true freshman Brandon Granville and sophomore transfer Brian Scalabrine have started every game and freshman Sam Clancy has started more than half. Junior college transfer Quincy Wilder and freshman David Bluthenthal have also earned important roles. In USC's first 15 games, they are averaging a combined 35.7 points and 18.3 rebounds.
Tough schedule
As usual, USC plays a demanding slate of games, scheduled to play five of the top 18 teams in the preseason AP Top 25 poll (No. 3 Stanford, No. 8 Kansas, No. 12 UCLA, No. 14 Washington and No. 18 Arizona). The Trojans also face two other teams which received votes in the AP poll: California and UNLV. Eight teams on the USC schedule played in the postseason in 1998 (Kansas, Stanford, UCLA, UNLV, Washington and Arizona in the NCAA Tournament and Arizona State and St. Bonaventure in the NIT). USC opens with eight of its first 11 games at the Sports Arena.
PAC-10 PRESEASON POLL
USC was picked to finish eighth in the Pac-10 preseason media poll. Stanford was first with 369 points and 36 first-place votes. The Cardinal was followed by Arizona (298), Washington (277), UCLA (271), California (253, one first-place vote), Arizona State and Oregon (150 each), USC (144), Washington State (65) and Oregon State (56).
HENRY BIBBY
Henry Bibby, a coach with 16 years of college and professional experience and the only player to ever play for an NCAA, NBA and CBA championship team, is in his third full season as the head coach of the USC men's basketball program. Last season USC went 9-19 overall, but closed out the season with a stunning 91-90 overtime victory over then-No. 2 Arizona and a 117-71 rout of Arizona State. In his first full season at the helm of the Trojan program, Bibby did not waste any time in moving Troy in the right direction. The 1996-97 campaign saw the Trojans finish second in the Pacific-10 Conference and make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992. The previous year, the Trojans went 11-19 and finished ninth in the conference. The seven-game improvement is the third-biggest turnaround in USC history and the seven spot increase in the standings matches a school best. In addition, Bibby's 17-11 mark in 1996-97 is the best by a Trojan coach in his first full year since Forrest Twogood went 21-6 in his debut season in 1951. Bibby was named USC's head coach on March 15, 1996. Bibby joined the Trojan program in May of 1995 as an assistant coach. He was named USC's interim head coach on Feb. 7, 1996, replacing Charlie Parker. Bibby came to USC after coaching a club team in Venezuela in 1995. He was a head coach for eight seasons in the Continental Basketball Association. His teams made it into the CBA playoffs six times and posted a 223-213 regular season record, making him only the fourth CBA coach to post 200 wins.
Adam Spanich
Senior * forward * 6-foot-7 * 212 pounds *
One of USC's all-time top three-point shooters. Hit two three-pointers in the final 2.8 seconds, including a half-court heave at the final buzzer, to give USC a miracle one-point win at Oregon. He scored a season-high 26 points and made six-of-seven three-pointers. Averaging 8.3 points, fourth best on team. Scored 18 points against St. Bonaventure and made four-of-seven three pointers.
Started vs. Arizona State and Arizona. Had 13 points, six rebounds at Kansas. Scored key eight points at UNLV, all in the second half, making three-of-four shots.
Currently ranks No. 10 on USC career three-point chart (98). One of three seniors on team.
Made 73-of-174 treys last season, leading the Pac-10 in both categories. Made two dramatic three-pointers in USC's upset of No. 2 Arizona last season. The first sent the game into overtime and the second won it with no time on the clock.
Was named to the 1998 Pac-10 All-Newcomer first team.
Elias Ayuso
Senior * guard * 6-foot-2 * 195 pounds
Another strong three-point threat.
Averaging 9.7 points, third best on team. Scored season-high 21 points at UC Santa Barbara, including five-of-10 on three pointers.
Had 18 points, including four treys, and a career-high tying five steals in Pac-10 opener against Arizona State.
Scored 15 points in the win at Oregon (making 5-of-8 treys) and vs. Stanford.
Scored game-high 16 points at UNLV and made three-of-five three-pointers. Had 12 points and two steals against Arizona. Had 11 points and three steals against both San Diego State and Loyola Marymount.
Currently No. 5 on USC's career three-point chart (127). One of only three seniors on team.
Scored a career-high 25 points in last season's final game against Arizona State.
Brian Scalabrine
Sophomore * forward * 6-foot-9 * 240 pounds
Leading candidate for Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year award. USC's leading scorer (15.1) and rebounder (7.3) and is second in assists (2.7) and third in blocks (0.9).
Had career-high 26 points, seven rebounds and two blocks against American. Scored 25 points and had five assists against Arizona State, making his first eight shots en route to a 10-of-12 performance. Has made 18 consecutive free throws (dating back to the second half of the Arizona State game) and is shooting .803 from the foul line on the season. Posted first USC double-double with 18 points and career-high 10 rebounds against Arkansas State.
Scored 19 points and had four assists against Long Beach State. Had 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks against Loyola Marymount. Scored 15 points and had nine rebounds at UNLV and had 15 points and eight rebounds against both St. Bonaventure and Oregon State. Scored 14 points (including six-of-six from the line) and had nine rebounds and two blocks in Trojan debut against San Diego State and had 14 vs. California.
Averaged 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman in 1996-97, helping lead Highline C.C. in Des Moines, Wash., to a 31-1 overall record and the state junior college championship. "The most impressive newcomer (in the Pac-10), by far, is USC forward Brian Scalabrine. Scalabrine is skilled, athletic and plays with limitless energy." - Jon Wilner, Los Angeles Daily News "(Scalabrine) is an all-leaguer. He's the closest thing I've seen to Detlef Schrempf since Detlef Schrempf. He can bring it on the break. He can pass it and he can shoot it. He's a pro, no question." - Arizona Coach Lute Olson
"(USC) is well-rounded with a great inside guy (Scalabrine) who will be a professional player. He's as good as it gets." - Arkansas State Coach Dickey Nutt
"Scalabrine is a great Division I player. I think he's terrific." - Long Beach State Coach Wayne Morgan
Jarvis Turner
Junior * forward * 6-foot-8 * 230 pounds
Fourth on team with 4.1 rebounds in only 14.1 minutes per game. Scored season-high 16 points and had six rebounds against St. Bonaventure. Came off bench to score 13 points, grab seven rebounds, dish out four assists and make three steals in only 15 minutes against Loyola Marymount. Had nine points, two steals and a block in the season opener against San Diego State.
Had nine rebounds in 16 minutes against American and seven rebounds in 18 minutes against Arkansas State.
Suspended for UC Santa Barbara game for team academic violation. In the season finale against Arizona State last season, he recorded his second consecutive double- double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Against No. 2 Arizona last year, Turner had a career-high tying 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Jeff Trepagnier
Sophomore * guard * 6-foot-4 * 185 pounds
One of the top athletes and best leapers in the nation whose dunk in the season opener against San Diego State knocked out a shot clock for one half. Another slam against Long Beach State earned a spot on ESPN's Plays of the Week on Nov. 29.
First in steals (2.1), second in scoring (12.1) and blocks (1.6) and third in rebounds (4.7).
He has had at least one block in 12 of 15 games, at least two blocks nine times and at least two steals eight times. Scored career-high 22 points and had seven rebounds at Kansas. Had USC record eight steals against Loyola Marymount in addition to his first career double-double (18 points and 11 rebounds). Scored 19 points, including a handful of monster dunks, and had seven rebounds at UC Santa Barbara.
Had 18 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks against American. Had 14 points, five assists, three blocks and three steals against Arizona and 12 points, three blocks and two steals against Long Beach State. Averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds as a true freshman in 1997-98 while starting six games.
Brandon Granville
Freshman * guard * 5-foot-9 * 175 pounds
Candidate for Pac-10 All-Freshman honors. USC's fifth-leading scorer (7.7) and leader in assists (5.3) and second in steals (2.0).
Made five-of-nine three pointers en route to season-high 22 points at UC Santa Barbara, adding eight assists and three steals. Has made 23-of-62 (.371) three-point attempts this season. Has had at least two steals in eight of 15 games this season. Has had six steals three times (San Diego State, Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount).
Scored 15 points (including eight-of-nine from the foul line) and had seven assists at UNLV.
Scored 14 points and dished out eight assists against St. Bonaventure. Posted 13 points and seven assists at Oregon State. Scored 10 points and had five assists and six steals vs. San Diego State in becoming the first true freshman to start a season-opener at USC since Burt Harris in 1992-93.
Averaged 12.0 points, 10.0 assists and 3.0 steals in 1997-98 at Westchester (Calif.) High, playing with current Trojan teammate David Bluthenthal.
Was a USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Los Angeles Times South Bay/Westside All-Star Team and South Bay Daily Breeze All-Area first team selection.
Sam Clancy
Freshman * forward * 6-foot-7 I 240 pounds
Candidate for Pac-10 All-Freshman honors. Pac-10's leading shot blocker (1.8) and USC's second-leading rebounder (5.3).
Has started nine times this year.
Had second double-double of career against No. 8 Arizona with career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Posted a double-double in his first game at USC, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against San Diego State. Scored 10 points and had Pac-10 high six blocks at Oregon State and followed it up with five blocks and two steals vs. Stanford. Had 13 points and six rebounds at Oregon. Had five blocks, nine points and five rebounds at Kansas. Had six rebounds in 12 minutes against Long Beach State. Averaged 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in 1997-98 at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. Led the Eagles to the Ohio "Big School" state championship and earned Parade Magazine All-America fourth team honors. Was a Street & Smith's 1997 College Basketball fourth team All-American and an All-Metro (Cleveland) pick.
Quincy Wilder
Junior * guard * 6-foot-3 * 200 pounds
Candidate for Pac-10 All-Newcomer honors. Posted career-high 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting in career-high 28 minutes, adding four assists against California. Had 13 points, including clutch three-pointer late in game, against Arizona State.
Made first career start vs. Stanford.
Scored 10 points and had three assists off the bench against San Diego State.
Had nine points against American.
Played 25 minutes at Oregon, getting eight points and seven assists. Had six points and six rebounds in 17 minutes against Long Beach State. A versatile player, he can play either guard spot or small forward. Suspended for UC Santa Barbara game for team academic violation. As a sophomore at Highline C.C. in Des Moines, Wash., Wilder averaged 23.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.2 steals per game. He led the Thunderbirds to consecutive Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championship.
Scored in double figures in all 33 games he played in and scored 20 or more in 23 of those games.
Greg Lakey
Sophomore * forward * 6-foot-8 * 200 pounds
Had career high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go with eight rebounds in season-high 28 minutes against California. Had 14 points against Arkansas State, adding eight rebounds in second start of season. He has started three tines. Tied career high with nine rebounds against Long Beach State and added nine points in only 16 minutes.
Scored 10 points and had eight rebounds against the Aztecs to open the season.
Is 21-of-26 (.808) from foul line and had made 13 consecutive free throws before streak was snapped against Arkansas State. Grabbed six rebounds in 15 minutes against Loyola Marymount. USC's third-leading returning rebounder from 1997-98. Averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds last season while starting 19 games as a true freshman (second most on the team). Had a career-high 14 points and eight rebounds against Washington State last year.
Shannon Swillis
Sophomore * forward * 6-foot-6 * 225 pounds
Has played in eight games as a reserve, averaging 5.5 minutes per game. USC's leading returning rebounder (5.9) from 1997-98 and a part-time starter.
Can play as a swingman or a power forward. Had a team-high 41 blocks (1.52 pg - second in the Pac-10) last year and blocked three or more shots in eight games. Earned 1997-98 Pac-10 All-Freshman honorable mention honors. Against Tennessee last year, he finished with a career-high 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
David Bluthenthal
Freshman * forward * 6-foot-7 * 215 pounds
Has played in 12 games, averaging 6.2 minutes and 1.8 rebounds per game. Had career-high seven points and five rebounds in 12 minutes against Arkansas State.
Played 15 minutes against American, posting six points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Scored four points and had three rebounds in his first game as a Trojan against San Diego State.
Averaged 21.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game at Westchester (Calif.) High in 1997-98.
Teamed with current Trojan teammate Brandon Granville in leading the Comets to a 30-3 record and their first-ever City Section 4-A title and Division I state championship.
Was the City 4-A Player of the Year.
Can play both forward positions.
Seymour Daffeh, Shelby Jordan, Rob Eres
Rounding out the Trojan roster are walk-ons Seymour Daffeh, Shelby Jordan and Rob Eres. Daffeh, a senior, is in his fourth year with USC and has played in 11 games in his Trojan career. Jordan, a sophomore, played in two games as a freshman last season and two this season and Eres, a freshman, is in his first year with the team.
Daffeh has played in four games. He has played four minutes and missed his only shot, a three-point attempt. He didn't see any action last year. Jordan has played twice and Eres saw his first action (one minute) against Arkansas State.
