Craven’s Game Comes Long Way

As Derrick Craven began his on-the-job training as USC’s point guard to begin the season, there was a feeling that the Trojans were playing four on five, what with the sophomore’s reluctance to shoot or seeming lack of ability to score.

But with his breakout performance in Sunday’s unexpected 98-73 blowout of Nevada Las Vegas, in which he had a career-high 17 points and knocked down three of four three-point shots, a more confidant Craven has the Trojans running on all cylinders.

“When he plays like that,” a grinning Coach Henry Bibby said, “he brings a new dimension to our offense. He has the green light to shoot. He just has to make it.”

Craven had been anything but a long-range threat ... until last week. He had not made a three-point shot in his collegiate career until Wednesday against UCLA. Now he is four for nine.

“I’ve always had confidence,” Craven said. “I just didn’t shoot it. I’m still learning the position.”

He has always had a fan in his twin, Errick.

“I’ve been seeing him do it my whole life,” Errick said. “So it’s no surprise to me. I know what he can do.”

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It may have taken Desmon Farmer 21 shots to get his 22 points against UNLV, but it didn’t take him long to get into the flow of the game.

The emotional Farmer feeds off of crowds riding him, and when the Rebel faithful began to fill the Thomas & Mack Center with derisive chants, the junior guard was in his element.

“When folks are trying to get on me,” he said, “that’s when I play at my best, try to play at my best.”

-- Paul Gutierrez