Bibby: Close Games Help Develop Character

USC, in the midst of an eight-game winning streak dating to last season, has a chance to go through the nonconference schedule unbeaten for the first time since the 1970-71 season.

Pepperdine, the Trojans’ opponent Thursday, presents the next big obstacle in the 13th-ranked Trojans’ path, the Waves employing a full-court press and an up-tempo offense. That’s not the style of play USC wants to see, coming off a season-high 26 turnovers against UC Santa Barbara.

But Coach Henry Bibby said having played consecutive close games against Utah, Cal State Northridge and Santa Barbara should have the Trojans prepared for the kind of pressure Pepperdine can apply.

“We needed those close games,” Bibby said. “Games that were hard fought. I’ve kind of painted a dark picture so far, but the guys have responded to adversity.

“I’ve wanted games like that to see what we’re made of. They showed we’re not a bad basketball team. We have to get better, like every team is trying to do. But we have some intelligent student-athletes who go out and play as hard as they can. Sometimes the elements are not to your advantage, and you get those games like we’ve had.”