Technically, Bibby Was Upset at Call

Coach Henry Bibby minced no words Monday in expressing his feelings on being assessed a technical foul by referee Mark Ayotte during Saturday’s 94-89 victory against Arizona.

“It was [bull],” Bibby said. “I was talking about a foul and he said, ‘Easy, easy, easy.’ I told him, ‘I don’t have to be easy, this is for first place in the Pac-10.’ Is that deserving of a technical foul? It’s [bull]. The technical foul was [bull].

“If I’m annoying him that much, walk away from me. Tell me, ‘Henry, I don’t want to hear it’ and walk away from me. You don’t give a technical foul at that point in the game. Doesn’t happen. And again, would a big-name coach get a technical foul on that? I don’t think so.”

Bibby was perturbed by the foul called on forward Sam Clancy, who had blocked Rick Anderson’s shot and sent him sprawling on a breakaway dunk attempt with five minutes remaining in the first half and the Trojans leading, 31-23. With Anderson at the line, the technical was called and the Wildcats made it a four-point play.

“It took away from the game and it took me out of ... coaching,” Bibby said. “That’s not what it’s for but it shows how much the officials can have control of a game. If I cursed the guy, it’s a different story and I never cursed the guy, never swore at the guy. So it was totally unwarranted.

“When I’m deserving, give me a warning ... and I can understand if you give me a warning that I’m bothering you.”

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Junior center Kostas Charissis was walking with the aid of crutches and a boot on his left foot Monday after aggravating an ankle injury Saturday. An X-ray is scheduled for today and USC officials fear he may be lost for up to four weeks because of a stress fracture. Charissis starts and is averaging 10.4 minutes and 2.3 points.

Paul Gutierrez