Trojans Face Another Tough Road Game

Winning a basketball game on the road is seldom easy in any conference, and USC has already beaten the odds this season by defeating Oregon and Arizona on their home courts--two of the more fashionable pits in the Pacific 10.

Now, the Trojans face an even more formidable challenge, playing Arizona State at the University Activities Center this afternoon. USC has lost five straight here and seven of the last nine.

A USC victory, however, would leave the Trojans 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the Pac-10, which would be good for at least a share of second place. Arizona State, beaten Thursday night by UCLA, is 7-7 and 2-2.

The Sun Devils blamed overconfidence, in part, for their 64-61 loss to the Bruins, and USC Coach Stan Morrison can only hope that ASU is in the same frame of mind today.

The Trojans beat Arizona, 64-63, at Tucson Thursday night but could have lost in the closing seconds when forward Wayne Carlander threw a full-court pass out of bounds. Forward Derrick Dowell saved the Trojans, however, when he stole a pass intended for center Pete Williams as time ran out.

So USC is 2-0 on the road in conference play. One more road victory and USC would have to be regarded as a title contender. The Trojans were picked to finish seventh in a preseason poll of the media and coaches.

Jim Deines, Arizona State’s 6-9 forward who missed the UCLA game with a leg injury, also is doubtful for today’s game. He will probably be replaced by 6-7 Eric Holloway.

The road hasn’t been especially hazardous for visiting teams this season in the Pac-10. They have won 10 times, the same as home teams.