Lack of Bench Production a Concern

As the No. 16 Trojans finished practice Friday, Coach Henry Bibby had a word or two with his bench players.

Actually four words: Get in the game.

Bibby was still miffed that reserves Nate Hair, Robert Hutchinson, Tyler Murphy and Jamie Hooper were a combined 0 for 5 from the field and scoreless in 37 minutes in the upset loss to Northwestern.

Production from the bench--or lack thereof--is becoming a sore point with the Trojan coaching staff.

Hair has played in six games after recovering from a knee injury, but has made only 23% of his shots. Hutchinson has played in all 11 games, and has shot only 18 times. Murphy is shooting 45% but his presence has diminished in the past four games. Hooper, a walk-on, rarely gets more than a couple of minutes in a game.

“With Jeff [Trepagnier] out and Jarvis [Turner] hurt, the opportunity for other guys to step up has been there to not let those guys get back the playing time,” Bibby said. “That’s what they’re letting get away.

“This is the time they’ve got to shine. In the 11 games we’ve played, one of those guys should have been able to step up. Desmon Farmer has stepped up as a freshman, so when we get into conference [play], you’re looking at playing Desmon Farmer. He’s one of the guys who has to be out there.”

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Trepagnier’s status had not changed as of Friday. He could still be cleared before tonight’s game, but it does not appear likely.

The Trojans, however, will get Turner back tonight. He missed the last six games, recuperating from surgery for removal of torn cartilage in his left knee.

TONIGHT

vs. Long Beach State

5:30, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Sports Arena.

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

* Records--No. 16 USC 9-2, Long Beach State 7-4.

* Update--The Trojans are rocky and the 49ers are rolling. USC, which opens Pacific 10 Conference play next week, has lost two of three and is still feeling the aftershock of losing to unheralded Northwestern on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Long Beach State has won four in a row, including an 83-76 victory over Texas A&M; on Dec. 22. Standout junior guard Ramel Lloyd (20.6) leads the 49ers in scoring, and has scored 20 or more points in five consecutive games. Brian Scalabrine is USC’s leading scorer at 17.1 points game.

* Tickets--Available through USC at (213) 740-4672, https://www.usctrojans.com or the arena box office.