University Southern California Trojans
USC-Oregon State Preview
January 26, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2001
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A two-game losing streak that could have sent Southern California into a tailspin has had the opposite effect.
The No. 25 Trojans go for their third straight victory Saturday when they face injury-riddled Oregon State at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
USC (14-4, 4-2 Pac-10) fell 80-75 to unranked crosstown rival UCLA on Jan. 11, a defeat that knocked the Trojans out of first place in the conference, and then lost 71-58 to Arizona last Thursday in Wildcats coach Lute Olson's first game back with the team following the death of his wife.
Instead of allowing the emotionally charged losses to get to them, the Trojans responded with victories over Arizona State and Oregon.
The Trojans nearly blew a 16-point lead in the final five minutes against the Ducks, but held on for a 78-74 victory Thursday. Sam Clancy scored 21 points and teammate Brian Scalabrine, who was held scoreless against Arizona, added 20 for the Trojans.
"Sam Clancy dominated," USC coach Henry Bibby said. "He did everything during that stretch (building the 16-point lead) to get us up there."
While many expected Scalabrine to be the focal point of the offense this season, Clancy has filled that role, leading the team in scoring and rebounding.
"What's happening a lot is that people concentrate on Brian Scalabrine a lot," Bibby said. "They go into the game saying, 'Brian is the guy, Brian is the guy,' and there's nobody that can cover Sam."
Oregon State (8-10, 2-4) has seen its roster decimated by injuries. The Beavers originally listed 14 players on their team, but are down to nine and lost sophomore forward Brian Jackson during Thursday's 67-40 loss to UCLA.
"It has been a challenge to put combinations on the floor that give us a chance for success," coach Ritchie McKay said. "We can't worry about what has happened this year, it's the hand we have been dealt."
The lack of depth has forced Oregon State to employ a slowdown style to remain competitive. However, the tactic has mostly been successful only during the first 20 minutes, as teams have been able to pull away from Oregon State in the second half.
The Beavers hold a 51-50 lead in the all-time series with USC, but the Trojans have won the last three meetings and five straight in the series at home.
