Bibby Gambles on Long Shots

Henry Bibby played the percentages against California last time and got burned.

The USC coach is a stubborn sort, though, and again plans on having a laissez-faire attitude when the Golden Bears, who rank eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference in three-point shooting percentage, spot up from long range today at Haas Pavilion.

“You want them to shoot three-pointers, if you go with the percentages,” Bibby said. “We can’t give them any open looks, that’s the thing. We have to be aware of them shooting the basketball outside but more aware of them getting the ball inside and getting the easier baskets.

“I’d rather see them make three-pointers than get inside and make a 10-footer because the percentages are in our favor with them shooting threes.”

It seems to make sense.

But while the Golden Bears may make only 32.8% of their shots from beyond the arc in conference games, USC is ninth in the league in defending the three-pointer, with its opponents making 38.9% of their three-point shots.

Plus, California buried a school-record 15 three-point baskets in its 92-91 overtime victory against the Trojans at the Sports Arena on Jan. 24.

A Brian Wethers turnaround three-point basket from deep in the right corner tied the score at the end of regulation before Shantay Legans made a 26-footer from the left wing for the victory just before the buzzer at the end of the extra period.

That loss is one of three this season the Trojans have endured courtesy of a last-second three-point basket.

Still, No. 20 USC (19-6 overall, 11-4 in the Pac-10) is in a first-place tie with Oregon after the Trojans’ dominating 77-58 victory at No. 10 Stanford on Thursday night, a road win that may be the biggest in Bibby’s six-year coaching career at USC.

Think he’s feeling the pressure? Bibby shut down access to his players Friday, the first time he’s done that all season.

But the Trojans have insisted this week that they are already focused, not only on today’s game against the Golden Bears (19-6, 10-5), but on winning their first Pac-10 title since 1985.

David Bluthenthal, who has busted out of his season-long slump by averaging 24.6 points in his last three games with 13 three-point baskets, said the Trojans are trying to win out.

Sam Clancy, with his nation-leading 11 consecutive double-doubles, said that with every passing game, the next one becomes the most important of the season.

Brandon Granville, who is shooting only 23.8% from the field the past three games but has 23 assists and two turnovers in that span, said the Trojans are beginning to get that same look and feel of confidence they exuded last spring. USC advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champion Duke.

Bibby has long called the three seniors the cornerstone of his program. But only now, with three regular-season games left in their college careers, are they all beginning to show up on a nightly basis.

“We’re talking about throwing egos out the window and the guy that’s hot, let’s get him the basketball,” Bibby said.

“I think they see the reward of what they can get by playing together and playing as a team. I think they smell victory. It seems like there’s a sense of urgency.”

As well as a need to play the percentages.

*

TODAY

at California, 3 p.m.

Fox Sports Net

Site --Haas Pavilion, Berkeley.

Radio--KMPC (1540), KPLS (830).

Records--No. 20 USC 19-6, 11-4 in Pac-10; California 19-6, 10-5.

Update--Legans, California’s starting point guard, is out because of a concussion after being pushed by UCLA’s Matt Barnes on Thursday night.... The Golden Bears are 16-1 at Haas Pavilion this season, their most home wins since 1954.... Bibby, who criticized a technical foul he got last week, has received a letter of reprimand from the Pac-10.... California leads the Pac-10 in scoring defense, giving up 66.5 points a game.