Trojans Hope They Don’t Come Up Short Tonight

The undersized Trojan front line gets a sizable test against the fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels tonight in the Maui Invitational.

Start with 7-foot, 271-pound junior center Brendan Haywood, who is North Carolina’s leading returning scorer (12 points a game). Then add sophomore forwards Jason Capel, at 6-7, 230, and Kris Lang (6-11, 240). USC cannot allow the Tar Heels to have a huge gap in rebounding to have a chance for the upset.

The other key tonight is the duel between the point guards. USC’s Brandon Granville, a sophomore, will have his hand full in containing North Carolina senior Ed Cota, who has led the Atlantic Coast Conference in assists the past three seasons.

TONIGHT

vs. North Carolina

6 PST, ESPN

* Radio--KCTD (1540)

* Site--Maui Invitational, Lahaina, Hawaii.

* Records--USC 1-0; North Carolina 0-0.

* Update--The Trojans try to surprise the Tar Heels, who are playing their season opener.