Arizona Trip Presents Early Barometer

USC had circled the road games at UCLA and the two Arizona schools as, in the words of Brandon Granville, “a pivotal part of our season.”

For the 19th-ranked Trojans, these three games are more than a chance to get an early jump in the Pacific 10 Conference race. They also represent those “statement” games teams look for as motivational spurs or measuring sticks.

And the road is where USC has to prove itself. USC’s away record the last four seasons is 18-35 overall, and 10-26 in conference.

USC flubbed its first test, dropping an 80-75 decision at Pauley Pavilion and extending its losing streak there to eight games.

The task is again difficult Thursday against Arizona.

Since the McKale Center opened in 1973, USC has won five of 23 games there. The Trojans have not beaten the Wildcats on their home floor since Jan. 17, 1985, which translates to a 14-game losing streak.

Arizona began the season as the nation’s top-ranked team but lost five of its first 13 games.

Then the team was dealt a more severe blow when Coach Lute Olson lost his wife of 47 years, Bobbi, to cancer.

But the Wildcats began regrouping last weekend by sweeping the Washington schools. They can still make a run at the conference championship.

So can USC--if the Trojans can figure out how to play as well away from the Sports Arena as they do in it.