Raveling Puts Muzzle on His Trojan Players Before UCLA Contest

If there is a war of words among the players before USC plays UCLA Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion, it will be one-sided.

USC Coach George Raveling said Tuesday that he is not allowing his players to be interviewed this week, although they can talk their heads off if they want after the game.

Raveling is concerned about what he has read this season, the sniping and derogatory quotes attributed to Pacific 10 basketball players.

“I think far too much has been said in the papers all season long and I think we have to be mindful of the fact that the games are played on the court,” he said. “It’s not a debating contest, or war of words.”

Raveling said he isn’t singling out any team, that the mouthing off is widespread in the league, extending from Washington to Arizona.

Raveling is concerned about the image of the league, already held in low regard nationally because of the caliber of the teams.

“One of the things that I plan to bring up at the next coaches’ meeting is that we have a responsibility to teach our players some humility,” Raveling said. “I think the conference is replete with examples this year of popping off.

“I don’t think we should muzzle players and I don’t think this has anything to do with the press. You guys are just doing your jobs.

“I just don’t think (popping off) helps the stature of the league. I think it shows an immaturity of the league. I talked to two coaches in the last 24 hours and they agree with me wholeheartedly.

“I’m not picking on any one school. I’m not saying USC is right and everyone else is wrong. I’m just saying, as a conference it doesn’t do any good.”

Raveling said that in the past the league had players of the caliber of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Marcus Johnson and Bill Walton, whose opinions might have carried some weight, considering their status.

“I was in this league when we had some players who could play. Now we have some players spouting off who are Division II players,” Raveling said.

He wouldn’t identify the Division II types.

So silence is golden, or, at least, it has been so mandated at USC this week.

The Daily Trojan, the school’s newspaper, summed up Raveling’s policy with this headline: “Raveling’s Law: Troya Paranoia.”

Raveling said: “I’m a little disturbed that the Daily Trojan tried to get (the players) to talk even though I told them not to.”

In any event, if the Bruins want to talk up a storm this week, the Trojans won’t respond, at least, not publicly.

Trojan Notes Even though USC is coming off a 65-55 upset of Oregon State Saturday in Corvallis, Ore., the Trojans are still lodged in last place in the conference with a 4-13 record. They could determine the outcome of the regular-season race, though. UCLA (13-4) is the league leader but would only finish second by losing to USC, coupled with an Arizona sweep of Stanford and California. UCLA beat USC Feb. 14 at the Sports Arena, 77-65. . . . USC Coach George Raveling on the conference tournament next week at Pauley Pavilion: “For teams like ourselves it’s an opportunity for redemption. The tournament has sustained our interest throughout the season and has kept us playing hard.” . . . Raveling added that not any team, even host UCLA, is assured of winning the tournament and an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.