Bibby Challenges Defense

USC wraps up nonconference play Wednesday against Northwestern and then opens Pacific 10 Conference play Jan. 6 at Washington State. During that time the Trojans will have the last concentrated period of practice this season.

And Coach Henry Bibby plans to focus on defense.

USC is giving up an average of 66.5 points, slightly above the goal of 65 points a game Bibby set for the team this season. Other numbers aren’t bad; the Trojans are outrebounding opponents by three a game, and have a field goal edge of 45.2% to their opponent’s 42.3%.

But Bibby still sees too many stretches of lax or passive defense, when the Trojans let their leads erode quickly. And it’s a primary reason USC is 6-5.

“The biggest thing we need is the commitment to play defense,” Bibby said. “You look at all the good teams that win every year, and they can stop people.

“What I’m looking for is a commitment, a passion, from our guys that defense is just as rewarding as offense. . . . Until we get guys to really feel that, then you’re an average defensive team and you don’t win a lot of basketball games.”

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Sixth man Jarvis Turner, recovering from a broken bone in his left foot, had the soft cast removed this week and should resume practicing after Christmas. But Bibby said the target date for Turner’s return to action remains Jan. 6.