Trepagnier Expected to Become Stopper

Jeff Trepagnier’s basketball resume is already dotted with phases like “supreme leaper,” “superb athlete” and “tremendous potential.” Now the USC junior wants to add a label of his own--tough defender.

As the Trojans begin Pac-10 play Thursday at Washington State, Trepagnier has been told by the coaching staff that he will be regularly defending the opponent’s best guard or small forward.

His first assignment will probably be Washington State’s Jan-Michael Thomas, who had 21 points in the Cougars’ home victory against USC last January, or Chris Crosby.

Crosby, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, leads the Cougars in scoring at 17 points a game. Thomas, a 6-0 senior guard, is WSU’s second-leading scorer at 15.

Trepagnier has the flexibility to play both. He leads the Trojans in steals with 48, and is tied for second in blocked shots with Brian Scalabrine at 11.

“They want me to be a stopper,” said Trepagnier, averaging 16 points a game. “I like that challenge. I like playing defense because it can get your team going. If you can get the other team’s best player out of his game, the other players sometimes fall apart.

“I’m playing pretty much whoever’s good that game. It’s a lot of responsibility but I think I can handle it. I’m pretty quick and can move my feet. I’ll be all right

Just as important, Trepagnier said, is for the Trojans to keep the rest of the Cougars from a fast start.

“What I remember most about that game [last season] is Washington State did everything right,” Trepagnier said. “They took us out of our game quick. And we were surprised. So we owe them one.”

“But we want to get two wins [the Trojans play at Washington on Saturday]. They’re both road games, and that would build our confidence. If we can steal a couple wins up there, it will really help us when we play UCLA [next week].”