Bibby Says Lessons Go Beyond the Court

Henry Bibby winces when he reads or hears reports that his brand of tough love is a form of torture for his players.

The USC coach insists that there is a method to his madness.

“I don’t hold a grudge.... I’m not trying to be someone that’s walking around kicking guys in the butt all the time,” Bibby said. “I’m not trying to punish people. I’m trying to get them to be accountable. You’ve got to be responsible. You’ve got to come to work every day to work and nothing in life is going to be given to you.”

Bibby’s doghouse is as legendary as it is always occupied.

Sophomore guard Desmon Farmer found out first-hand two weeks ago when Bibby took him to Peoria, Ill., for the Trojans’ game at Bradley and purposely sat him for the entire game, knowing that 12 members of Farmer’s family had made the trip from Flint, Mich., to see him play.

“He’s going to punish you if you’re not working hard in practice,” said Farmer, who has turned it up enough in practice to play 34 and 40 minutes in the Trojans’ last two games. “It’s not like he’s just going to punish you just to punish you. There’s a reason every time.”

Said Bibby: “Everyone thinks I’m tough and hard. I’m trying to get them to play.... I have to do something to try to help these guys understand that this is life, that this is what life is about--going out and working hard every day and being responsible.

“This is what I believe in and I don’t think it’s a wrong belief.”

TONIGHT

at Long Beach State, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site--The Pyramid.

Radio--KMPC (1540)

Records--USC 4-2, Long Beach State 3-4.

Update--Senior guard Ron Johnson leads the 49ers in scoring, averaging 13.6 points, and senior forward Travis Reed is averaging 11.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.