Johnson a Lot More Involved

Last season, USC point guard Gary Johnson averaged 13 minutes a game as a reserve. This season as a senior starter, Johnson is averaging more than 29 minutes, the most by any Trojan, as backup point guard Kevin Augustine has been hampered by injuries and illness.

Johnson is averaging 2.5 steals and 4.8 assists, fourth in the Pacific 10 Conference in each category. “I had 39 minutes against UNLV [two weeks ago], and I felt like I could play another game. I’m in pretty good shape.”

Johnson also has had to carry a bigger chunk of the offense. He led USC against the Runnin’ Rebels with 18 points, and his 11.3-point scoring average underlines a bolder attitude by him to shoot.

“Scoring wasn’t my role last season,” said Johnson, who averaged 3.6 points. “[USC Coach Henry] Bibby still wants me to kick the ball out to scorers like Adam Spanich, Gary Williams and Elias Ayuso, but if I have the open shot, I’ll take it.”