USC and Washington Will Battle for Ninth Place in Pac-10 Tonight

USC basketball Coach George Raveling says that his team and Washington mirror each other because they are similarly inexperienced.

That identity carries over to the Pacific 10 Conference standings, in which the teams are tied for ninth place with 2-6 records.

One team will have sole possession of last place after tonight’s 7 p.m. game at the Sports Arena.

USC (4-13) snapped a six-game losing streak by beating Washington State, 65-60, Saturday at the Sports Arena. Washington, meanwhile, dropped to 6-11 after losing to UCLA, 78-71, at Pauley Pavilion.

Raveling said that in a conference well-stocked with accomplished guards, the Huskies have one of the best in sophomore Eldridge Recasner, who is averaging 17 points a game.

Washington Coach Andy Russo started three freshmen--forwards Mike Hayward and Anthony Jenkins and center Todd Lautenbach--against UCLA. Recasner and senior guard Troy Morrell were the other starters.

The Huskies lost four starters from last season’s team, including center Chris Welp and forward Phil Zevenbergen, who were selected to the All-Pac-10 team.