Bluthenthal Is Settling In

In their surge to the four-way tie for first in the Pacific 10 Conference, USC has gotten the performances expected from returning starters Brian Scalabrine, Brandon Granville, Jeff Trepagnier and the injured Sam Clancy.

David Bluthenthal was the one starter no one had a read on, which is understandable because Bluthenthal didn’t start last season. He averaged 7.6 minutes and 2.1 points in 20 games as a freshman.

It took awhile, but the 6-foot-7 forward has found his comfort level. He’s averaging 13.2 points and leads the Trojans in rebounding (7.8).

Those numbers are higher in conference play; in seven Pac-10 games Bluthenthal is averaging 15.7 points and 11.1 rebounds, including the 28-rebound game he posted against Arizona State.

“I’ve always felt I could play at this level and be an impact player,” Bluthenthal said. “But when Sam got hurt [against Arizona State] I really felt I had to step up. I’ve done it, and I have to keep going.”

TONIGHT

vs. California, 7

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690)

* Records--USC 13-6, 6-1; Cal 11-8, 2-5.

* Update--After Arizona and UCLA, Cal was the Trojans’ biggest nemesis of the 1990s, winning 14 of the 20 games. The Bears have won four in a row at the Sports Arena. But Cal, with three freshmen and a sophomore surrounding solid junior Sean Lampley, is struggling in conference play and suffered a numbing, buzzer-beating loss at home to Washington last Saturday.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232 or 740-4672. Tickets can also be purchased at the Sports Arena box office.