NBA Return Actually Helps

Odd as it may sound, the return of the NBA should allow the USC basketball team to practice more often at the Sports Arena.

In the past two months, with professional basketball dormant, the Trojans used the arena only when the wood floor was in place. If an ice skating show came through town, for instance, arena officials might not put the floor back down until just before USC was scheduled to play again.

“Now it actually helps us because, when the Clippers play, they have to put the floor down,” Daryl Gross, associate athletic director, said. “And the way I understand the NBA schedule, the Clippers are going to play a lot.”

Normally, the Clippers hold morning practices and play at night. That leaves afternoons free for USC.

“No matter when they need the floor, we can usually schedule around them,” Gross said.

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Sam Clancy’s six blocks against Oregon State has tied him for the lead in that Pacific 10 Conference category with Arizona’s A.J. Bramlett.

Last Saturday night, the 6-foot-7 freshman warmed up by swatting away shots by Beaver guards Ramunas Petraitis and Josh Steinthal in the first half. Later, he rejected attempts by Oregon State’s two centers, 7-2 George von Backstrom and 6-11 Jason Heide.

Clancy has 20 blocks in 12 games for an average of 1.7. Guard Jeff Trepagnier has 20 blocks in 13 games and is tied for fourth with Washington’s 7-foot center Todd MacCulloch.