Bibby Still Cautious With Trepagnier

The stress fracture of Jeff Trepagnier’s left foot has healed nicely but not quite enough for Coach Henry Bibby to put him back in USC’s starting lineup.

Bibby said Monday that the senior shooting guard will sit out the 23rd-ranked Trojans’ game tonight against San Diego, and probably will miss Saturday’s game against Loyola Marymount too.

“If Jeff had to play, he could,” Bibby said. “But I want him healthy, not playing one week then missing another. He wants to play next week in the Wooden Classic, but we’ll see.”

Trepagnier said he understands Bibby’s caution.

“It’s a little frustrating, not being out there,” Trepagnier said. ‘But I don’t want to play now and [not] play later.”

At least Trepagnier has a target return date. A bone scan of guard Gennaro Busterna’s injured toe revealed a second small fracture, and the freshman is out another six to eight weeks.

When asked if he would consider red-shirting Busterna, Bibby said, “I still think he can help us this year.”

TONIGHT

vs. San Diego

7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--KMPC (1540).

* Records--USC 1-0, San Diego 1-0.

* Update--Bibby said he didn’t “see any fire” in the eyes of the Trojans before they went out and defeated Bradley, 107-92, in USC’s opener Saturday. And if the Trojans come out the same way tonight against San Diego in the first meeting between the schools, they could be in trouble. “They are a good, solid team,” Bibby said of the Toreros. “This is their game, coming to play a ranked team. They have something to shoot for.” Desmon Farmer is expected to fill in for Trepagnier. San Diego defeated Occidental in its opener, 79-48.