For Once, Trojans Have Put Bruins Behind 8-Ball

The USC Trojans couldn’t even win the city championship. Now they’ve won the Kentucky derby and are going to be Duking it out for a berth in the Final Four.

If they don’t do one thing more, they should be an inspiration to any athlete tempted to think it’s all over before the fat lady sings. This ain’t opera, but the Trojans already have plenty to sing about. This might be a good time for the team to belt out a few choruses of “Fight On.”

ROBERT H. WILLIAMS

Monterey Park

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A funny thing happened Thursday night:

Just as Duke put the finishing touches on the Bruins’ season, an eerie noise could be heard all over the Southland. It was the sound of a community of journalists furiously munching on a feast of crow.

For the (UC)LA Times sports department this is a bitter defeat, indeed. Imagine the chaos.

“Perhaps we should scrap that 1,500-word feature on Jason Kapono’s Final Four headband-selection strategy,” Dwyre contemplated.

“I guess we should junk ‘Gadzuric’s Guide To Philly’s Cheesesteaks’ too,” conceded Adande.

“Who won the Kentucky game?” queried Pucin.

So put that three-part “Lavin Mulls Hair Product Switch For Next Season” series on the back burner--it’s time the USC sidebars went front page.

OLIVER LANG

Los Angeles

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What an embarrassment Mike Garrett continues to be. While Henry Bibby makes his team believe that they belong in the NCAA tournament and can go higher than the Elite Eight, Garrett states, “I never thought we would win two games after that [Oklahoma State].”

No wonder good coaches don’t want to coach at USC; they get no support from the athletic director. Mike, keep your mouth shut and get us the money for a new arena.

THOMAS HAMLETT

Winnetka

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Steve Lavin might not be much of a coach, but he’s certainly a skillful politician. Of course, he has benefited greatly by playing himself off against Pete Dalis, the greatest straight man since Oliver Hardy. First he extorts that sweet rollover contract, then he’s able to exploit Pete’s idiotic admission about speaking to Rick Pitino.

Today, after one more embarrassing exit from the tournament, Lavin isn’t even close to being fired. His winning percentage is about the same as the reviled Larry Farmer and Jim Harrick. Lavin has never won a conference championship and the Bruins have fallen decisively behind Arizona and Stanford in won-loss record and recruiting. But Lavin is relentless, he’ll keep reciting about “20 wins, making the Sweet 16, etc.” He’ll keep repeating those tired cliches about “criticism comes with the territory” (all the while implying his critics are holding him to unfair standards). And, of course, he’ll continue selling the biggest lie of all: “Our goal is to win a national championship.” No, not our “Sweet 16 Steve.”

CHARLES CHICCOA

Reseda

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Another year, another year of lowered expectations met, er, not met, er, wait . . .

With Steve Lavin, it’s never clear what has happened.

Quietly, UCLA basketball has comfortably settled into the second tier of Pac-10 programs, content in an occasional “miracle” win (Stanford and Arizona) while slipping into a virtual dead heat with USC (and soon Cal) for the vaunted third place.

The only “miracle” is how Coach Lavin has managed to lower some fans’ expectations--and meet them. Or not meet them.

I’m never sure which--but I’m sure an elite coach would not leave us asking the same questions.

EARL JONES

Los Angeles

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Thanks to Steve Lavin for showing grace under pressure and for getting the most out of a roster depleted by NBA defectors.

Thanks to Dan Gadzuric for staying (but get the number for Pete Newell’s Big Man Camp from Lavin’s dad).

Thanks to Jason Kapono for realizing there is no way he is ready to guard Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant next year.

And thanks to Earl Watson for being the embodiment of heart, courage and class. You’ve made John Wooden and the rest of UCLA’s fans proud.

WILLIAM DAVID STONE

Beverly Hills

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Listening to Billy Packer calling a game with an Atlantic Coast Conference team involved is like having Mel Allen call the World Series with the Yankees playing.

LARRY STERN

Santa Monica