Bibby Hears the Other Side of Story

Henry Bibby has spent much of the season pushing, prodding, encouraging and yelling at the No. 25 Trojans.

But the USC coach is doing something else this season with his players for the first time.

He’s listening to them.

While Bibby and his staff have the final say on how the Trojans prepare for an opponent, he said the coaches are seeking--and receiving--player input on defensive and offensive schemes.

“Just because you’re a coach doesn’t mean you stop learning,” Bibby said. “Each year, each game you’re trying to figure how to get the kids to continuously buy into what you’re talking about. To do that is to give them input.

“I put in different systems every year. And I determine what system we play. But I always ask [the players]. And as your players get older, they know what you want, what you expect of them. And they make suggestions.”

What Bibby will not seek is suggestions on who plays.

“I will play the people who perform,” Bibby said. “I’m going to play people I have confidence in. That could be a total of five guys, eight guys or 10 guys. I could play three guys 40 minutes. But I’m going to play the guys who get it done for me in practice and the games.”

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With five more blocked shots Thursday against Oregon, Sam Clancy has 47 this season. If he can average 2.5 over the remaining 12 games, Clancy would break the school single-season record of 72, set by Avondre Jones in 1996.

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Until Thursday, USC had held six consecutive opponents to a field-goal percentage of 44.1% or lower. Oregon, thanks in part to its flurry in the final five minutes, shot 51%.

TONIGHT

vs. Oregon State

7, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Sports Arena.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--No. 25 USC, 14-4, 4-2; Oregon State, 8-10, 2-4.

* Update--The Beavers knew they were in trouble Thursday against UCLA when they lost their two tallest players--6-9 center Jason Heide (ankle) and 6-9 forward Brian Jackson (foot). But they didn’t plan on scoring only 40 points, their lowest output in nearly five seasons. Oregon State can take solace in knowing the Trojans have had trouble putting teams away. Still, USC has made protecting its home court a priority and is 9-0 at the Sports Arena. The Trojans have a three-game winning streak against Oregon State and have won the last five at home against the Beavers. Oregon State also has lost 22 consecutive road games to top 25 opponents. Jeff Trepagnier needs 23 points to become the 24th Trojan--and the second one this season after Brian Scalabrine--to reach 1,000 points.

* Tickets--(213) 740-4672.