Ducks’ Win at Cal Turns Heads

Oregon sent shock waves through the Pacific 10 Conference with an upset victory at California last week. USC Coach Henry Bibby took particular notice because his team plays the Ducks tonight and he knows road victories are hard to come by in the dog-eat-dog Pac-10.

“They went on the road and they won,” Bibby said. “Now they are kind of in the driver’s seat. We are at somewhat of a deficit because we didn’t win our last home game. So we have to steal a [road] game or two to get back in the hunt.”

That won’t be easy in McArthur Court, an ivy-covered relic that seats only 9,000 and is usually filled to the rafters. Last season, USC went there and outrebounded the Ducks but made only 38% of their shots and lost, 73-61. “All I know is they call it ‘The Pit,’ ” said guard Adam Spanich, who made one of eight shots in that game.

Bibby did his best to sound unimpressed. “I like [McArthur] because it’s very similar to the North Gym that we practice in,” he said. “It’s about that size.”

TONIGHT

at Oregon

7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--McArthur Court.

* Radio--XTRA (690), KCTD (1540).

* Records--Trojans 9-2, 1-1; Ducks 9-2, 1-1.

* Update--Oregon lost at Stanford, 77-59, Monday to end a seven-game winning streak. The team is led by guard Alex Scales, who averages 14.4 points, and forward A.D. Smith, who averages 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds.