Three-Point Shot Gives ‘False Hope,’ Bibby Says

After Thursday’s loss to California, Coach Henry Bibby hopes the Trojans are less infatuated with the three-point shot.

USC set a conference record with 20 three-pointers--in 29 attempts--against Oregon State last Saturday. Against the Bears, however, the Trojans made only three of 20. Just as important, USC started settling for perimeter shots instead of making an extra pass and penetrating Cal’s interior defense.

Brian Scalabrine worked the baseline and got free underneath several times for easy baskets. But USC was unable to exploit what appeared to be a physical advantage for David Bluthenthal, who was being guarded by a shorter and lighter Ryan Forehan-Kelly of Cal.

“Now you see what depending on the three-point shot looks like,” Bibby said.

“We spent more of the game drifting to the outside, and kind of played into Cal’s hands. That’s what that game against Oregon State will do for you. It gives you false hope you can make three-pointers every night. You can’t rely on the jump shot every night. You have to work it inside and get to the free throw line.”

Trojan guard Brandon Granville said Bibby “had talked all week about living and dying with the three. That [Oregon State] game probably will never happen again.”

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Since losing two of three after posting a seven-game winning streak--and looking flat in both losses--the question of depth has came up again for USC, especially since the Trojans are without the injured Sam Clancy and Jarvis Turner.

Granville dismissed the suggestion of fatigue as a factor.

“Coach has eased up in practice and is keeping [the starters’] legs fresh,” Granville said. “We’re not losing because we’re tired.”

TONIGHT

vs. No. 2 Stanford

5, Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--USC 12-7, 6-2; Stanford 18-1, 7-1.

* Update--The Trojans played perhaps their best game two weeks ago when they knocked off Arizona, then ranked No. 2. They must play to that level and then some to keep up with a Cardinal team that is deeper than Barry White’s voice. “We have nine players we’re comfortable with and I feel the first seven are all starters,” Stanford Coach Mike Montgomery said. “That helps us.” Stanford’s only loss was to Arizona on Jan. 8, and the Cardinal has won six in a row since.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232 or 740-4672, also available at the Sports Arena box office.