First Look

USC AT A GLANCE

Regional seeding: Fourth.

Conference: Pacific 10 (12-6, tied for second).

Bid: At-large.

Tournament record: 9-13, 11 appearances.

Last NCAA appearance: 2001 (lost in Elite Eight).

Coach: Henry Bibby (six seasons, 103-76).

Scoring leaders: Sam Clancy 19.0, Brandon Granville 12.5, David Bluthenthal 12.1, Errick Craven 11.8, Desmon Farmer 9.1.

Rebound leaders: Clancy 9.5, Bluthenthal 7.5.

Assist leader: Granville 5.74.

Three-point basket leaders: Bluthenthal 60, Granville 54.

Last 10 games: 6-4.

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N.C. WILMINGTON AT A GLANCE

Nickname: Seahawks.

Regional seeding: 13th.

Conference: Colonial Athletic Assn. (14-4, first)

Bid: Automatic.

Tournament record: 0-1, one appearance.

Last NCAA appearance: 2000 (lost in first round).

Coach: Jerry Wainwright (eight seasons, 135-102).

Scoring leaders: Brett Blizzard 17.5, Craig Callahan 13.1, Ed Williams 10.1, Stewart Hare 6.5, Anthony Terrell 6.4.

Rebound leaders: Williams 6.7, Callahan 5.2.

Assist leader: Blizzard 2.97.

Three-point basket leaders: Blizzard 83, Callahan 36.

Last 10 games: 8-2.

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BREAKDOWN

FORWARD: The human pogo stick that is Jerry Dupree (6-7, 200) also has a wingspan that allows him to block shots and play as though he were three inches taller. His inspired play in the Pacific 10 Conference tournament allowed the Trojans to move the rugged but sweet-shooting David Bluthenthal (6-7, 220) to power forward. The Seahawks’ forwards, Anthony Terrell (6-7, 230) and Ed Williams (6-6, 215), are an athletic and extremely active duo, but should have their hands full with the Trojans’ inside-outside game.

CENTER: Sam Clancy (6-7, 240) and his 17 double-doubles moved to the post when Dupree moved into the Trojan starting lineup, an adjustment that turned USC into a quicker, albeit smaller, team. The Seahawks also have an undersized center in Craig Callahan (6-8, 250) who will try to lure Clancy outside of his comfort zone and to the perimeter with his 39.1% three-point shooting.

GUARD: Brandon Granville, a fourth-year starter, should make a point to rattle sophomore point guard Tim Burnette, who has started only 10 games this year. Errick Craven will have his sound defense tested by Brett Blizzard, the Seahawks’ leader in scoring and assists who also has no conscience when it comes to shooting the long ball. He launched 213 shots from beyond the three-point stripe.

COACHING: Henry Bibby, in his sixth season, is taking his third team to the NCAAs. Jerry Wainwright, in his eighth season, took the Seahawks to the NCAAs in 2000, when they lost to Cincinnati.

FINAL ANALYSIS: USC’s smothering defense should prove too much for the Seahawks. After playing three consecutive days of full-court pressure defense in the Pac-10 tournament, the Trojans tired against Arizona. They should be back at full swarm.

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Paul Gutierrez