Trojans Don’t Figure to Get First Pac-10 Victory Tonight at Tucson

Still searching for its first win in the Pacific 10 Conference, USC’s basketball team plays Arizona tonight at Tucson.

After ascending to the No. 1 spot in the polls last week, Arizona lost at Oklahoma, 82-80, Sunday, and fell to No. 2.

“If I were voting this week, I’d still put them as the No. 1 team in the country,” USC Coach George Raveling said. “And I’m not just saying that because we’re playing them. I don’t think they’ll lose another game for the rest of the season. I like their chances of getting back to the Final Four.”

Arizona is led by Sean Elliott, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, who is averaging 22 points and 7.5 rebounds. Center Anthony Cook has also played well, averaging 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds.

The Wildcats are is 18-3 overall and 12-1 in the Pac-10. USC is 7-16 overall and 0-11 in the Pac-10.

Although the Trojans have lost 12 consecutive games, they played well last week in narrow losses to UCLA and Notre Dame.

“I really am pleased with our last two games,” Raveling said. “Essentially both of them were really three-point losses.”