USC Faces Richmond Tonight

USC’s four-game basketball trip through the South won’t get any easier tonight with a game against Richmond.

The Spiders (2-0) are coming off a 67-62 win Saturday night over Georgia Tech, which was ranked sixth nationally in preseason polls.

The Trojans opened the season against New Orleans Friday night, losing, 85-67. USC point guard Dave Wiltz injured his thigh in that game and won’t play tonight.

Ivan Harris will fill in for Wiltz, teaming with Rich Grande in the backcourt. The other starters are forwards Bob Erbst and Derrick Dowell and center Rod Keller.

“We played 15 minutes of big-time basketball against New Orleans before we began to self-destruct,” Coach George Raveling said. “We’re not that deep and we can’t afford injuries.”

Richmond has three starters returning from last season’s team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last five years. They are all juniors--guard Rodney Rice, forward Peter Woolfolk and center Steve Kratzer.

USC shot only 37.3% from the field in losing to New Orleans, and Raveling said that shooting is a continuing problem. “We’re building for conference play and if we have to sacrifice the preseason, so be it,” he said.

After tonight’s game, the Trojans will move on to Bowling Green, Ky., for the Wendy’s tournament Friday and Saturday. USC’s first-round opponent will be Murray State, which had a 17-12 record in 1985-86.