Break Turns Into Shooting Primer

By the time No. 24 USC takes the Sports Arena floor tonight at 7:30 against UC Santa Barbara, the Trojans will have had a 10-day break between games.

These things happen when you lose in the second round of the preseason National Invitation Tournament and are forced to stay home and watch the Madison Square Garden party on television.

The Trojans’ early season interlude was made possible by their horrendous shooting.

Having shot a combined 11.1% from beyond the three-point line in their first two games, it’s easy to surmise what has been emphasized in practice.

“We got a lot of shooting in this week,” said point guard Brandon Granville, who, at three for 12, is the only Trojan to make a three-point basket so far.

“I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of zones [defenses], especially with what happened against Fresno State, the way we were shooting.”

Except for Thanksgiving, the Trojans (1-1) have practiced daily since their 65-58 loss to the Bulldogs, when USC was a miserable two of 18 from three-point territory.

In groups of five, the Trojans had extra shooting practice as early as 6:45 a.m.

“We got 400, 500 shots each,” small forward David Bluthenthal said. “We’re taking good shots, we’re just not making them.”

Bluthenthal, who made 40.9% of his three-point shots last season, has not started this season and has missed his seven three-point shots.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” he said. “Everybody goes through their slumps. I just have to keep my head up, keep my confidence up and just try to shoot myself out of it. I’m definitely not going to hesitate to shoot.”

The Trojans’ shooting woes are especially stark when compared to the same time last season.

Two games into the 2000-01 season, USC was shooting 50% from three-point territory.

“That’s last year,” Coach Henry Bibby said. “This year’s a different year, different players, different people with different roles. I’m not concerned about that.

“It’s early in the year. If we had played 20-some games and we’re still shooting 11%, then I would be concerned, but not after two games. I’m not concerned about too many things at this point in time.”

Santa Barbara (2-0) has had a decent perimeter defense, allowing its opponents, Westmont and San Francisco, to convert a combined 16.3% of their three-point shots.

“We know it’s going to get better,” Granville said, “because it can’t get worse than that 11%.”

TONIGHT

vs. UC Santa Barbara, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site-Sports Arena.

Radio-KMPC (1540).

Records-USC 1-1, UC Santa Barbara 2-0.

Update-The Trojans have never lost to the Gauchos, winning all 10 meetings by an average of 14 points. Last season’s 75-73 final was the closest game in the series’ history.