Dupree Waiting to Get in Game

Jerry Dupree did not ask Coach Henry Bibby on Friday why he was stuck at the end of the bench the night before, when USC’s rotation went just eight deep and the tired Trojans missed four consecutive free throws late in their 73-67 loss to Stanford.

Rather, the junior forward kept to himself during practice and anticipates playing tonight against No. 18 California.

“I just go with the flow,” Dupree said. “Be patient and wait for the opportunity.”

USC was limited against the Cardinal because junior guard Roy Smiley did not suit up for the game after twisting his right knee in practice Wednesday when Gregg Guenther fell onto him.

As a result, Desmon Farmer, who missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw opportunity, played 40 minutes and Errick Craven, who missed three free throws down the stretch and was only one for five from the line, played 38 minutes.

Bibby was unavailable for comment Friday, but after the loss he intimated that Dupree’s high-flying, reckless-abandon style of play did not fit into the half-court, deliberate scheme that USC employed against Stanford.

“You can’t play everybody,” Bibby said after the game.

“I’m sure the walk-ons wanted to play.”

Smiley, meanwhile, did not practice and said he won’t play against Cal if his knee feels the same.

Craven didn’t talk with the media after making six of 24 from the field and one of six three-point attempts, but offered his thoughts on facing Cal.

“I think they’re going to come in ready because they just lost [at UCLA],” he said. “They’re still in a race [for first place] so they won’t be as gloomy.”

Craven said he would not attempt to make up for his poor shooting night against Stanford.

“That would make it worse,” he said.

*

TONIGHT

vs. No. 18 California, 8, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Sports Arena.

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

Records -- USC 10-12 overall, 5-8 in Pacific 10; California 18-5, 11-3.

Update -- The league’s top two scorers, in conference games only, will be on the floor as Cal senior forward Joe Shipp (21.9) faces Farmer (20.8).

Tickets -- (213) 740-4672.