Bibby Says Dupree Might Play Tonight

Jerry Dupree was back in USC’s good graces Tuesday. The junior forward’s latest sojourn ended as he rejoined the Trojans for practice and treatment for his sore right foot.

Coach Henry Bibby, tiring of answering questions on Dupree’s status, did not comment on Dupree’s role after practice but said beforehand that he could possibly play tonight against UCLA.

Dupree was suspended for the first seven games of the season, played his best game of the season at Stanford on Jan. 25, started against Oregon State on Thursday and was kicked out of Saturday’s practice and missed three therapy sessions to earn a two-day break from Bibby.

His teammates hope Dupree got the message.

“That’s on Jerry. Jerry would be a great addition to the team if he played,” sophomore guard Errick Craven said. “If he were more involved with the team ... that would make us even better. The things he’s capable of doing are things that no one on our team can do.

“I’ve talked to Jerry. Jerry knows what’s going on. It’s all up to Jerry now. Everybody’s talked to him.”

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It was less than a month ago, but UCLA’s first game against its cross-town rival marked the end of the innocence.

Although the Bruins were only 4-5 at the time, they were 2-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference and coming off a road sweep of the Washington schools.

There was hope. The season held promise.

UCLA led by 10 with four minutes left in the first half and a big crowd at Pauley Pavilion was on its feet.

Then Desmon Farmer made a three-point basket en route to a 25-point performance, Craven converted a three-point play en route to a 24-point performance, and the Bruins never recovered.

The 80-75 loss to USC triggered the current eight-game losing streak.

“I thought we played well in stretches in the SC game,” UCLA Coach Steve Lavin said. “We built the lead, then they cut it down and went into the locker room with momentum.”

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The court could resemble a goal-line offense if Gregg Guenther of USC and Marcedes Lewis of UCLA are on the floor together.

The reserve forwards are tight ends during football season.

“If I get in against him, that would be fun,” Lewis said.

Lewis, a freshman, has been with the team for only the last eight games -- all losses. He has played 15 minutes in four appearances, scoring six points and collecting four rebounds.

Guenther, a sophomore, had a similarly limited role until breaking through against Oregon on Sunday with 16 points and six rebounds. It was only his sixth appearance this season.

“That gave me a boost, seeing what he did,” Lewis said. “For me, football is where it’s at. But maybe I can get in a [basketball] game and make a difference.”

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TONIGHT

UCLA at USC, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Sports Arena.

Radio -- KMPC (1540), KPLS (830) XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- USC 8-9 overall, 4-5 Pac-10; UCLA 4-13, 2-7.

Update -- With USC sophomore power forward Nick Curtis still on the mend and practicing lightly Tuesday, Guenther worked with the first team and may get his second start of the season.

Tickets -- (213) 740-4672.