Bibby Struggles With Road Rudeness

Contrary to popular belief, Henry Bibby, that cold-blooded, stone-hearted USC basketball coach who seemingly delights in doling out suspensions and punishment, has feelings too.

Just ask him.

Especially when the Trojans play at the madhouse that is Oregon’s McArthur Court, where Duck denizens delight in hurling personal insults and unflattering epithets at the visitors.

“People have no right to say some of the things they say, ‘Your clothes are ugly, you’re bald-headed,’ ” Bibby said. “Just insult me, [jerks], come on, just say what you want to say to me anytime you want to say it and it’s OK? No, it’s not OK.

“How rude is that? How would you like me to come down to your place of work and [berate] you? But fans have the right to do that to me, and my players? That’s not fair ... if I went up in the stands and yelled at [fans], I’m sure I’d be reprimanded and suspended.”

During last year’s game in Eugene, the crowd chanted “Deadbeat daddy” and “Your son hates you” at Bibby, referring to his estranged relationship with his son, Sacramento King guard Mike Bibby.

And after the Ducks beat the Trojans, setting off a students-storming-the-court celebration, several USC players and staff members were caught in the crush and were followed down the stairwell to the locker room by a vocal fan.

It was the lone trip last season that USC public safety officer Gerald Baker, who works in conjunction with other university police departments, did not accompany the Trojans.

Baker, who began traveling with Bibby during the 2000-01 season, is on the trip this year, though.

“I’m there for Coach Bibby to be able to coach and not worry about the verbal abuse he takes on the road,” said Baker, who had a heckler removed at Arizona two weeks ago. “I’m just extra ears and eyes for the team to let them relax.”

Bibby ranks Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, California and Stanford as the worst offenders.

“The fans are within a foot of you [at McArthur Court],” he said. “If someone wanted to swing on you or throw something on you, they’re right there to do that.

“I talk the kids about not acknowledging those people. Once you acknowledge those people, then it’s history.”

*

TONIGHT

at Oregon, 5:30 p.m.,

no television

Site -- McArthur Court.

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

Records -- USC 10-13 overall, 5-9 in Pac 10; Oregon 18-5, 11-3.

Update -- Bibby, who was recruiting, did not travel with the team Wednesday, but will join the team today. Two walk-ons, Peter McCaslin and Michael Mehanna, made the trip.