Scalabrine Finally in Offensive Groove

Brian Scalabrine routinely struggles with his game and, just as routinely, brings it back in line.

Currently, the Trojan center is in an up cycle. The last 10 games, Scalabrine has been USC’s most consistent scorer, averaging 17.8 points. Next highest is Sam Clancy, at 14.6 points.

Scalabrine is also the only Trojan shooting better than 50%--he’s at 50.8%--in those 10 games.

Clancy continues taking the most shots for the Trojans at 12.7 a game. Scalabrine is next at 10.7, followed by David Bluthenthal at 10.1.

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Scalabrine’s 21-point effort against Oregon on Saturday moved him past Lorenzo Orr (1,341) for seventh on the Trojans’ scoring list. Scalabrine now has 1,354 points. Clancy is also chasing Orr in the team record books. Orr is the Trojans’ all-time leader in blocked shots, with 128. Clancy has 122, with four games left.

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Thursday’s game against Stanford will be the third consecutive time USC has faced a Cardinal team ranked No. 1 in the nation. In the last two, both in Palo Alto, the Trojans lost, 77-71, on Feb. 2, and were routed last year, 111-68.

The last time USC played any top-ranked team three consecutive times was a span of six games against UCLA, 1971-74. The Trojans lost all six.

When USC defeated UCLA, 87-86, on March 6, 1970, it was the last time the Trojans beat a No. 1 team.