There’s an Easier Stretch Ahead

After a rough November, USC is heading into what could be considered the soft part of its schedule.

USC, which defeated Hawaii, 85-56, Wednesday at the Sports Arena, doesn’t play at home again until Dec. 29 against Northwestern. But the Trojans don’t leave the state the rest of the month--their farthest road game is at San Diego State on Dec. 20. None of USC’s next four opponents--Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount included--have a winning record.

USC, 4-4, , seems to have an opportunity to get on a roll before Pacific 10 Conference play opens Jan. 6.

But if there is a lesson the Trojans should have learned so far, it’s that they should not assume anything.

“The games against Loyola Marymount, Long Beach State and San Diego State are still road games,” Coach Henry Bibby said. “There are no easy games there. Everyone shoots for you. We’re of the Pac-10, one of the elite conferences, and other conferences want to beat us.”

The players also said they won’t get wins just by showing up.

“I thought we were going to get rolling after the Duke game,” Brian Scalabrine said. “Now I know we better not look ahead. First we play Loyola. If we can beat them, then we look at Long Beach. We have to play the games one at a time, then move on.”

Jeff Trepagnier did not guarantee any wins, but said it is time for USC to seize the moment.

“We need these next four games,” Trepagnier said. “We need to go into conference 8-4 and with some momentum.”

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Bibby may not have any surprise starters against Loyola, as he did against Hawaii when he inserted Kostas Charissis in place of David Bluthenthal. But he is still tinkering.

The latest wrinkle is moving the 6-foot-9 Scalabrine from center to small forward at different periods of the game. Bibby feels Scalabrine is shooting well enough outside--including three-point range--that he can force opponents to guard him on the wings and high post, not only underneath the basket.