It Gets Tougher for the Trojans

The Trojans expect tougher competition tonight from Nevada Las Vegas than they got in a 101-54 rout of San Diego State on Tuesday.

The Rebels have four of five starters back from last season’s team that went 20-13 and reached the NCAA tournament. USC lost to that team, 82-72, shooting 38% and falling apart in the final six minutes of a game at the Sports Arena last December.

“They’re athletic, like we are,” freshman point guard Brandon Granville said. “They get up and down the floor. We just have to go out there and play our game.”

That means running the fastbreak offense or, as Granville put it: “Getting easy baskets.”

Tonight

at Nevada Las Vegas

7:30, Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Thomas & Mack Center

* Radio--KCTD (1540)

* Update--Against San Diego State, USC made 83% of its free throws, a good start on Coach Henry Bibby’s goal of finishing the season above 70%. UNLV is led by sophomore forward-center Kaspars Kambala (21 points and 8.5 rebounds a game last season).